The Light of the World
February 2, 2025 - Sunday, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 (2:22-32)
The last book of the Old Testament ends with the announcement of the Lord's coming to his temple (Mal. 3:1). This prophecy is fulfilled surprisingly in the Gospel: the child Jesus is brought to the temple in Jerusalem. The one through whom everything was created became one of us (Heb. 2:14). Born in the nation of Israel, Jesus surrenders to the religious tradition of his nation.
The parents offered “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:24; Lev. 12:8). It has been accepted that this indicates the poverty of the Holy Family, who could not afford a lamb for their sacrifice (Lev. 12:6-7). But another explanation is also possible. By consecrating Jesus to God, they presented “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). In this way, the prophecy of Abraham is fulfilled: "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering" (Gen. 22:8). Another detail is also worth mentioning. Jesus was consecrated to God (Ex. 13:2), but was He also redeemed (Ex. 13:13)? The evangelist does not say that the price of redemption — five shekels — was paid to the priests (Num. 3:47). The one who redeems humanity does not need to be redeemed.
In the Infancy Gospel of Luke (1-2), the Holy Family was surrounded by elderly people. All of them were righteous and pious before God (Luke 1:6; 2:25, 37). They represent the people of Israel waiting for the Messiah and symbolize a transition from the old to the new covenant. But their presence also teaches us about the respect we owe to the elderly. We see them in our churches praying, and they are often the first ones to share their faith in Jesus with others. I think, for example, about my maternal grandmother. Their lives often offer the best lessons of faith.
"Now you release your slave, Lord, according to your word in peace" (Luke 2:29). Peace is one of the many gifts of salvation. "Justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). Death ceases to frighten us. This is beautifully expressed by the author of the letter to the Hebrews. By his death, Jesus destroyed "the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil" and thus freed "those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their lives" (Heb. 2:14-15). Death becomes a gateway to being with Christ (Phil. 1:23).
Simeon perfectly predicted the future of Christ and Mary (Luke 2:30-35). Christianity has illuminated many cultures and nations with the light of the Gospel, and Jesus Christ truly brings glory to the nation of Israel. But at the same time, Jesus remains a sign of contradiction — many reject Him, and many fight against Him. The sword of sorrow pierced the soul of Mary when she was standing at the foot of the cross (John 19:25), but that sword pierces her heart every time she 'sees' from heaven how certain groups and nations crucify Christ by persecuting His brothers and sisters.
The prophetess Anna worshiped God and told about Jesus “to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). Even in this sentence, we can see a prediction of the future. Women were the first to announce the Good News that Jesus had overcome death, that He is alive (Luke 24:9), and today they are the most active in the Church. They continue telling about Jesus to all those who await the world's liberation from the power of evil.
Jesus is "the light of the world” (John 8:12), and we are "the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). Let us bring the light of Christ to those who remain in darkness and the shadow of death.