Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)
Throughout the Old Testament the People of God long to see
God’s face. Psalm 27 expresses the
desire pointedly: “’Come,’ says my heart, ‘seek God’s face’; your face, Lord,
do I seek!” (Psalm 27:8) Good people realize that in the Lord’s presence there
is not only beauty but safety and happiness.
In short, in seeing God’s face, one experiences salvation.
In today’s gospel Simeon encompasses this longing. A seer above all, he has been promised sight
of God’s face. He might have expected
that the countenance of God would be that of a wise person full of trial, strength
and compassion. However, like Samuel
when he is presented with David for anointing, Simeon is surprised by the face
of an infant. But he has no doubts. Upon seeing the Christ-child, he breaks into
song: “’Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to
your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation ….”
The Church sings Simeon’s Canticle at Night Prayer in the
Liturgy of the Hours. It assures us that
Christ not only lights our way through this world but becomes our focus in the
next.
