Homily for Feast of the Presentation

Homily for the Feast
of the Presentation of the Lord

Feb. 2, 2018

Luke 2: 22-32

Don Bosco Cristo Rey HS, Takoma Park, Md.

Of the several themes that stand out in today's liturgy, I'll consider two.

1st, there's an emphasis on fulfilling the Law.  Mary and Joseph are, and Jesus will be, faithful Jews, observing the Torah and the pious practices of their people.

In part, to say that they fulfill the Law is to say that they're faithful to God:  "If we love him, we'll keep his commandments," St. John says (14:21; cf. 2 John 6).

In part, their fulfilling the Law is completing it.  This is more of a Matthean theme than a Lucan one.  But the Holy Family's actions are bringing the Old Law to its climax:  "and suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek" (Mal 3:1).

Presentation of the Lord

(from a 15th-c. Book of Hours)

2d, the holy couple offer the ritual sacrifice required to redeem their son from the Lord:  "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord" (Luke 2:23).  30 years later, their son will offer himself as a sacrifice to redeem the whole of humanity and make every man and woman truly consecrated to the Lord.  The child redeemed in the Temple becomes the redeemer man who opens up the temple where God is enthroned above.

In this Eucharist we're mystically within that temple, taking part in the Redeemer's sacrifice, assisting him as it were in consecrating mankind to the Lord.