HOMILY OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD — YEAR C
HOMILY OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD — YEAR C
HOMILY THEME: CHRIST OUR LIGHT!
BY: Fr. Casmir Nkamuke
Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40
Though celebrated outside the season, the Feast of the Presentation of Christ Jesus ideally marks the end of the Christmas Season. The liturgy of today reminds us that Christ is our light, and that through patience and perseverance, we experience the light of Christ.
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The first reading today describes the sudden entrance of the Lord into the Temple to refine and purify it. The Temple meant more than a place of worship for the Jews. It was a sign of God’s abiding presence. The influence of Hellenization, which led to the unhealthy blend of politics, religion and commerce in the temple worship, had adverse effects on the integrity and value of the Temple, and the privileged status of her priests. Malachi thus prophesies about the cleansing of the Temple and her priests to restore the lost glory and dignity.
The second reading describes the salvific role of Christ and his power over evil, and especially over death. His incarnation is essential so as to properly atone for the iniquity of humanity and offer us a share of his divinity.
The gospel is a long narrative of the scene of the presentation of Christ in the Temple. First, it expresses the willingness of Mary and Joseph to perform their religious ritual in spite of their poor financial status. Secondly, it presents us with God’s reward of the patience of Simeon and Anna. Finally, we are presented with the prophecy of Simeon, describing Jesus as the light to the nations and the glory of Israel.
Beloved in the Lord, Christ is our light. He is the light that darkness cannot comprehend. He is the hope of our glory and salvation. There are a lot of lessons to draw from today’s Feast to make this light shine always and extinguish all forces of darkness. From the prophecy of Malachi, we are reminded of the urgent need to restore the glory of God’s Temple. While the relationship with the Church and State is highly commendable, it is important to state that Christians must always lighten up the societies with the values of the kingdom of God. The integrity and dignity of the people of God should improve the society rather than being compromised by it.
From Simeon and Anna, we learn the values of patience and perseverance. Trials and tribulations may last for long, but those who trust in God lack no blessings. We also learn from the Holy Family the need to fulfil our religious obligations. However, fulfilling these obligations should ease the burden and purify, rather increase the pains of the children of God. The goal of all religious rituals is the salvation of our souls. Pastors of souls should have this in mind in the exercise of their ministry.
Finally, the prophecy of Simeon reminds us that Christ is our light, our salvation, and our glory. Though our quest for fame, wealth and power may convince us otherwise, we must note that it is only in and through Christ that we gain salvation and fulfilment in life. Christ is the way, the truth and the life. When we walk with him, we may experience tough times as Simeon prophesied to Mary. However, his light will help us conquer all forces of darkness in our lives.
May God give us the grace to walk in his light all the days of our lives. May his light accompany us especially in our dark moments. And may we experience divine restoration of our lost glory.
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