Malachi 3:1-4; PS 24 Who is the king of Glory? It is the Lord!Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40
Today we are asked to ponder the presentation of the Lord. Jesus as a child, 40 days after his birth is brought to the temple.
Imagine the phenomena if you can: The temple is the place where God's presence was made known to Israel and all the world an din this place JEsus the incarnation of God's presence makes his entrance.
It is much to ponder and think about. So don't rush ahead, sit a while on such an encounter. Jesus who is sent from Heaven enter into his Father's house on earth. I imagine the walls singing with jubilation.
Hear Malachi, "The messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears?"
Who can endure? Who can stand? We endure, we stand because of his gracious mercy toward us.
"He is like a refiner's fire…refining them like silver and gold that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD."
Today we bless the candles we use at the liturgy. The candles give us light and warmth as they born down. This is a reminder to us as to what a good and worthy sacrifice looks like. A sacrifice that is good and pleasing to God is the which gives us light and warmth as it is consumed in love.
This is the work of the refiner in our life!
We are told that Jesus will be a "sign of contradiction" and a sword shall pierce Mary's heart" by Simeon.
This announcement is like a second annunciation, where in the first an incredible amount of joy issued forth as Jesus Messianic royalty was revealed but in today's announcement something different is embrace. Jesus' mission will be accomplished but in misunderstanding and sorrow. This is the work of redemption. The annunciation brought joy. The work of redemption requires perseverance.
This too is the virtue held out to us in Christ not his day.
May we persevere in bringing light and warmth as we share in the work of redemption and bring Christ to our world.
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