CIS Walks

The Presentation of the Lord

VERŻJONI MALTIJA

Presence:

• In my imagination I approach the simple house of the Trinity. I stop in front of the door and knock…
• I see Jesus coming to open the door and welcome me warmly…
• I sit at table with the persons of the Trinity…

I ask for what I wish: I ask for the grace that my trust in God may make my hope stronger than anything that frightens me or discourages me.

Opening Exercise:

I close my eyes or I look down and use my memory:

• I remember what happened in the past, both personal and historical, what gives me courage and hope…
• I bring in front of my eyes everything that frightens or discourages me…

I read twice: Lk 2:22-40 The presentation of the Lord in the Temple.

²² And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, ²⁸ he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

²⁹ “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word; ³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation
³¹ that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³ And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed ³⁵ (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

³⁶ And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, ³⁷ and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. ³⁹ And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favour of God was upon him.

Points for meditation:

• I consider the attitude of Simeon and Anna bearing in mind the grim situation of the people: under Roman occupation and oppressed by heavy taxes. They live righteously and wait for the consolation of Israel, the redemption of Jerusalem and for a light for the other nations (Gentiles) with hope in God… What am I waiting for?
• I contemplate how Joseph and Mary do what the Law required of them with humility and obedience. The word obedience comes from the Latin for listening… in this case to God. What would happen if I paused to listen deeply and obey? What is God telling me?
• Jesus is the light for the nations. Light is beautiful but it also reveals the blemishes…
• Jesus is a sign that is opposed. Spiritual life is battle, but Jesus himself gives us the strength to endure.

Conversation: I speak spontaneously to one of the characters in the passage while leaving moments of silence to cherish in my heart what happened in me.

Witness: Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan