The Feast of the
Presentation of our Lord in the Temple –
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
The Gospel of Luke gives us this Sunday the story of Jesus presented in the temple. According to tradition and practice good Jewish parents dedicate their oldest son. Mary and Joseph show up 40 days after Jesus’ birth and do just that. They are met by 2 elders of the temple, Simeon and Anna.

Simeon offers a prayer, the words of which come down to us through the centuries as the Nunc dimmitus, [from the first words of the canticle in Latin, (Lord) now you let (your servant) depart’].

A canticle said or sung daily at compline or evening prayers.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace:
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen:
thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared:
before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles:
and to be the glory of thy people Israel    Luke 2.29-3

Is this just a weird story about ancient practices that involve the sacrifice of a young pigeon? The Holy family come to offer a sacrifice to God, a dedication of their intention and gratitude for the gift of life.
Or just maybe a reminder that Jesus was raised as a faithful Jew. Or a story of those who wait [for years] for this blessed event to happen, for the ancient prophesy to be fulfilled. Anna and Simeon faithful servants, recognizing the messiah finally come.

I know we are jumping around a bit chronologically; just last week Jesus was walking along the shores of sea of Galilee calling disciples. The week before, he was baptized in the Jordan – so this week it’s like a flashback. 

The intention for Jesus life already known and foretold in ancient prophets and then confirmed by Simeon and Anna in their meeting with Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the temple.
 A reminder of the humanity of the baby AND the incarnation of God.

There are those of us who find comfort in the practices, in the rituals of life. Most of us in fact love to mark the time, the stages of live. This feast does the same. ancient stories adding meaning to our lives.  
Often this day, February 2, falls on another day of the week but this year it’s on a Sunday. A Sunday right in the middle of the season of Epiphany, the season of blessing. Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple to dedicate his life to God. Not as the Messiah but just like every other normal Jewish kid whose family could afford a pigeon to sacrifice.  Caravaggio painted this version in 1660 with the all major characters are present. Simeon is holding the baby Jesus. 

Of course, this year February 2 nd is also the day of the Superbowl and Ground Hog Day and Candlemas [a liturgy of the blessing of candles in honor of the Presentation].

And if you have read this so far– here is the so what: 

Our lives are always full of the sacred and profane, of worldly and secular and of the special and the ordinary, whether that is Ground Hog Day or the Superbowl or the Presentation of   Jesus at the temple; God is part of ALL of our lives, in our celebrations in the church and in our homes. How we celebrate, how we remember, how we ritualize, we remember first God is in our lives. So, make some delicious snacks, bless your candles, and the light they represent, remember that all we have is God’s and share that with each other. As we rededicate our lives to the service of God for the good of the world.

 I am glad we don’t use pigeons as a sign and symbol of our devotion, of our intention, to live lives grounded in God. I adore some delicious artichoke cheese dip as much as I love the smell of incense over a pile of candles. In whatever way you mark the day[s] of life together, beloved know this, God is with us and may we all practice our awareness to be on the lookout for God coming among us …
For mine eyes have seen:
thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared:
before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles:
and to be the glory of thy people Israel

If you want to hear a beautiful setting of the canticle.

Rev. Alison +
1060 Chandler Road, PO Box 447, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
503-636-5618