We Can Offer Ourselves Also To The Father

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Jewish tradition about the presentation in the Temple was that the mother had to be purified forty days after the birth of a son and the first born male had to be redeemed or bought back from God for five shekels, or about two dollars in those days.  Of course, Luke does not mention that the Child has to be redeemed since he is the redeemer of his people.  Nonetheless, like Elizabeth and Zachariah they are obedient to the Law.  Joseph, Mary and Jesus go up to Jerusalem to fulfill this first cultic act of the Christ.

This new family will participate in the life of the Trinity by presenting their son to God.  It shows us that all our wounds and sins also need to be presented to God in the New Jerusalem, in the kingdom.  Jesus will also return to Jerusalem at his hour to offer himself again to the Father on the cross.   So it was appropriate that the Holy Family went to Jerusalem.  It will be the start of the Christian mission that will go to the ends of the earth.  For Luke’s gospel Christ always has his face set on this city.  His mission is to give his life in that place.  We can live this again with Christ in every Mass and this is what helps us.

Simeon was awaiting the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  He would see this ‘Anointed One’ which is what Christ, and Messiah, means, in Greek and in Hebrew.  The ‘Anointed One’  will be the one who suffers, which is a good reminder for us since we too have been anointed for this same purpose: to suffer like Christ or for Christ.

We hear in the first reading the first time that Abraham speaks to God.  He answers him with uncertainty about the promise he received since he attempted to solve it through his slave woman, Hagar.  This was not the promise that God made to him.  We see that Abraham is a sinner like us and yet he becomes the father of faith.  There is hope for us.  Let us join the Holy Family as they present themselves, and us, to the Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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