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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus, 02 February 2023 Malachi 3:1-4 ><}}}*> Hebrews 2:14-18 ><}}}*> Luke 2:22-32
It has been 40 days since your birth, Lord Jesus Christ that today we celebrate your Presentation at the temple; how lovely it is to contemplate how on that day your parents, the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph obeyed the law that "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord (Lk. 2:23-24) when you are the Lord Himself, the Son of God!
But more lovely too are the presence of Simeon and Anna who both waited for your coming, the promised Messiah of Old; inasmuch as we are challenged to share you Jesus with others like your parents, we are likewise challenged more to be like Simeon and Anna in receiving you our Savior into our arms and hearts.
Teach me, Jesus, to be like Simeon and Anna who patiently waited for your coming, staying attuned with the Holy Spirit in silent prayer and fasting, quickly recognizing your coming as the "light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Lk.2:31) amid the many other infants presented on that day; grant me the discerning spirit of Simeon and Anna to recognize Christ among the so many infants there at that time; strengthen my will and spirit to endure the day of your coming, Lord (Malachi 3:2) so I may recognize you and take you to my hands and arms to raise you up for all to see like Simeon and Anna proclaiming your coming to everyone.
Most of all, Lord Jesus, let me take you to my heart, like Simeon who prophesied how you would be a sign of contradiction to many, piercing hearts like a sword to bare the truth within us (Lk.2:34-35); give me the courage, O Lord, like Simeon to embrace death and suffering for that it is indeed the meaning of your presentation at the temple; it is only in presenting myself to you, Jesus, will I be able to bring you too to others when like you I go through what they suffer. In your light, Jesus, lead me. Amen.
