HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD (3)

HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

HOMILY THEME: A SWORD WILL PIERCE THROUGH YOUR SOUL

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY:

Today we recall how Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to the temple to do for him what the law prescribed. Simeon received the child, blessed them and part of what he said to Mary was that “a sword will pierce through your own soul also.”

Honestly, if I was in the shoes of Mary at this point, that is the last thing I would like to hear. Yet, Simon simply spoke as the Spirit directed and his words came to pass when Mary had to undergo seven sorrows.

Simeon could have told her what she liked to hear, she would have gone home with excitement but in the end, events would have proved that Simeon told lies in the name of God.

It is easy to tell people what they want to hear. It is easy to say God told me to tell you so and so or that this year, so and so must happen. But we should remember that the Bible not only mentions promises, it also mentions crosses.

Even our first reading talks about the promised messenger whose coming will be like a refiner’s fire purifying our hearts like gold and silver which are made to pass through fire in other to remove impurities. The sword that Simeon is talking about is the fire we must go through in other to become presentable to God in the end.

In our second reading, the book of Hebrews talks about how Jesus was made like us in every respect such that he completely understands what it means to be a human being. Jesus suffered and experienced temptation in the flesh. His suffering was for good – that he might be able to help us in our suffering and teach us how to overcome temptation.

Dear friends, no suffering is wasted. If God allows us to suffer, it is always for good. At times, in moments of temptation, Satan makes us choose between suffering and sin. Jesus chose to suffer – to be hungry – instead of turning stones to bread.

The presentation of Jesus in the temple is a moment of revelation, a moment of truth, a moment of prophecy. Simeon was told he would not see death until he sets his eyes on the Messiah. At that very moment, the Holy Spirit enabled him to identify the child.

Also there was Anna, she had virtually spent all her life in the temple seeing babies being presented in the temple but it was only when Jesus was presented that her mouth opened and she spoke well of him to all.

Every hour we spend in prayer is a presentation. We must learn to enter into prayer fully and attentively because we do not simply talk to God, we also listen to his voice; that same voice that made Simeon and Anna identify the child Jesus.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, may your truth fill my heart. Amen.

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Bible Study: Malachi 3:1-4. Hebrews 2:14-18 and Luke 2:22-40.

*Please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of my dearly beloved classmate, and friend, Rev. Fr. John Ehichioya; the Former Priest-in-Charge of the Mass Centre where I am currently a Rector. Hearing of his death yesterday after a brief illness just left me totally devastated. A sword has pierced my soul.*