Present in Community

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, reminds us of the ancient practice of presenting children to be in service of the Lord as a public declaration of “Good News” for the community. 

Anointed into Community

The Reading from the Prophet Malachi proclaims The Messenger of the Covenant.

* [3:1] My messenger…before me: Mt 11:10 applies these words to John the Baptist; Mt 11:14 further identifies John as Elijah (see Mal 3:23). Some take God’s messenger in v. 1a to be a person distinct from “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” in v. 1b; others hold that they are one and the same person. Some consider “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” to be divine, while others hold that in the text’s literal sense he is a messianic earthly ruler. (Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 24 celebrates the entry of God followed by the people into the Temple.

* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Letter to Hebrews proclaims Exaltation through Abasement.

* [2:5–18] The humanity and the suffering of Jesus do not constitute a valid reason for relinquishing the Christian faith. Ps 8:5–6 is also applied to Jesus in 1 Cor 15:27; Eph 1:22; and probably 1 Pt 3:22. This christological interpretation, therefore, probably reflects a common early Christian tradition, which may have originated in the expression the son of man (Heb 2:6). The psalm contrasts God’s greatness with man’s relative insignificance but also stresses the superiority of man to the rest of creation, of which he is lord. Hebrews applies this christologically: Jesus lived a truly human existence, lower than the angels, in the days of his earthly life, particularly in his suffering and death; now, crowned with glory and honor, he is raised above all creation. The author considers all things as already subject to him because of his exaltation (Heb 2:8–9), though we do not see this yet. The reference to Jesus as leader (Heb 2:10) sounds the first note of an important leitmotif in Hebrews: the journey of the people of God to the sabbath rest (Heb 4:9), the heavenly sanctuary, following Jesus, their “forerunner” (Heb 6:20). It was fitting that God should make him perfect through suffering, consecrated by obedient suffering. Because he is perfected as high priest, Jesus is then able to consecrate his people (Heb 2:11); access to God is made possible by each of these two consecrations. If Jesus is able to help human beings, it is because he has become one of us; we are his “brothers.” The author then cites three Old Testament texts as proofs of this unity between ourselves and the Son. Ps 22:22 is interpreted so as to make Jesus the singer of this lament, which ends with joyful praise of the Lord in the assembly of “brothers.” The other two texts are from Is 8:17, 18. The first of these seems intended to display in Jesus an example of the trust in God that his followers should emulate. The second curiously calls these followers “children”; probably this is to be understood to mean children of Adam, but the point is our solidarity with Jesus. By sharing human nature, including the ban of death, Jesus broke the power of the devil over death (Heb 2:4); the author shares the view of Hellenistic Judaism that death was not intended by God and that it had been introduced into the world by the devil. The fear of death (Heb 2:15) is a religious fear based on the false conception that death marks the end of a person’s relations with God (cf. Ps 115:17–18; Is 38:18). Jesus deliberately allied himself with the descendants of Abraham (Heb 2:16) in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest. This is the first appearance of the central theme of Hebrews, Jesus the great high priest expiating the sins of the people (Heb 2:17), as one who experienced the same tests as they (Heb 2:18). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims the Presentation in the Temple.

* [2:22] Their purification: syntactically, their must refer to Mary and Joseph, even though the Mosaic law never mentions the purification of the husband. Recognizing the problem, some Western scribes have altered the text to read “his purification,” understanding the presentation of Jesus in the temple as a form of purification; the Vulgate version has a Latin form that could be either “his” or “her.” According to the Mosaic law (Lv 12:2–8), the woman who gives birth to a boy is unable for forty days to touch anything sacred or to enter the temple area by reason of her legal impurity. At the end of this period she is required to offer a year-old lamb as a burnt offering and a turtledove or young pigeon as an expiation of sin. The woman who could not afford a lamb offered instead two turtledoves or two young pigeons, as Mary does here. They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord: as the firstborn son (Lk 2:7) Jesus was consecrated to the Lord as the law required (Ex 13:2, 12), but there was no requirement that this be done at the temple. The concept of a presentation at the temple is probably derived from 1 Sm 1:24–28, where Hannah offers the child Samuel for sanctuary services. The law further stipulated (Nm 3:47–48) that the firstborn son should be redeemed by the parents through their payment of five shekels to a member of a priestly family. About this legal requirement Luke is silent. (Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard comments that today, Luke tells us of a different presentation and reception - yet equally joyful in a milder manner. An elderly man, “Simeon… righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him…”.  The Spirit revealed, and Simeon recognized the infant as “Christ of the Lord”.  As did the priest in the church, Simeon “…took (received) him (Jesus) into his arms and blessed God… (saying)  Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace….”  Rejoicing in the presence of God, Simeon was ready to die.  God had fulfilled Simeon’s greatest desire - to see the Lord.

Ostensibly, this reading from Luke is about the infant Jesus being dedicated to God in the temple.  Praying with this passage, possibly it is also about recognizing and receiving the presence of “Christ of the Lord” as did Simeon and Anna. I invite us to pray with this scripture and meditate on what it means to recognize and receive Jesus.  When, where, and who has entered my life, revealing the presence of Jesus, of God? In the temple, Jesus was presented to all of us.  How do I rejoice in that? How does my life reflect the joy of Jesus’ presence? (Blandin Howard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ who was rich became poor,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"For this reason it seems wonderful that the sacrifice of Mary was not the first offering, that is, 'a lamb a year old,' but the second, since 'she could not afford' (Leviticus 5:7) the first. For as it was written about her, Jesus' parents came 'to offer a sacrifice' for him,'according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."' But this also shows the truth of what was written, that Jesus Christ 'although he was rich, became a poor man' (2 Corinthians 8:9). Therefore, for this reason, he chose both a poor mother, from whom he was born, and a poor homeland, about which it is said, 'But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha, who are little to be among the clans of Judah' (Micah 5:2), and the rest. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 8.4.3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 2:22-40 comments that outwardly, it’s easy to miss the spiritual reality of what is happening when we celebrate a sacrament. But we know, for instance, that in the waters of Baptism, sin is washed away and we are adopted into God’s family! We know that in Reconciliation, we are restored “to God’s grace” and joined “with him in an intimate friendship” (1468). And we believe that the Eucharist, “the source and summit of the Christian life,” unites us to Christ and enables us to “anticipate” heaven (1324, 1326).

Just as Mary and Joseph were blessed to witness God’s plan unfold through their simple act of obedience, ask the Lord to help you see how he is at work in your life through the sacraments. The next time you receive the Eucharist, thank him for his presence in what seem like ordinary bread and wine, and for uniting himself to you in such a personal way. As you prepare for Confession, keep in mind the joy you will experience of being reconciled to the Lord. And praise God for all the ways heaven touches earth every single day!

“Lord, open my eyes with wonder to see all that you are doing in my life today.” (Meditation on Luke 2:22-40, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from Malachi speaks about a messenger preparing the way in the Temple. Simeon and Anna recognize the messenger as Jesus. The Letter to the Hebrews proclaims Jesus came to save those who needed Him as a high priest, who is “made perfect” in being ordained as our high priest to show us the Way out of our mess. Luke, a Gentile, does not fully understand Jewish ritual. The Holy Family brings a sacrifice to celebrate the redemption of the first born. Mary is presented in an image that Mary’s thoughts would be pierced by the Word of God. She would be called to believe the impossible, “her son as the Son of God”, and Luke recognizes her as the perfect disciple. Jesus goes to Nazareth to grow and increase in wisdom in recognition of His emptying of His Divine Prerogatives.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian Cindy Lee who explains how Moses and the Israelites practiced Sabbath as a liberating rhythm of life. Sabbath breaks the nonstop, violent cycle of production and consumption. It breaks our greed by forcing us to stop continually trying to do more and gain more. The Sabbath system is a just and equal system because all—animals, land, landowners, servants, and foreigners—enjoy the same rest. None of us has ever truly experienced a Sabbath, however, because we still live in a world where foreigners, servants, land, and animals do not get sufficient rest. Imagine a world where we all had equal rest.

The healing power of the Sabbath comes when we embrace it as a collective practice

The Western church has taught Sabbath keeping as an individual practice of taking a day off and missed the understanding of Sabbath as a collective posture that orients us toward a just society where all can find rest. Therefore, even as our individual rest is important, we also need to help others in our communities to rest. Keeping the Sabbath rhythm requires everyone in the community, including those with privilege and power, to participate so that all can rest. The practice of communal rest is meant to train us into a way of living as a society. As someone who is privileged to take days off and go on retreats, I need to look at my community. These are questions I’ve found helpful to ask myself: Who can I free to rest? Who is exhausted? Who is not getting enough rest? And what little part can I do to help lessen their load so they can rest too? (Rohr, n.d.)

We invite the Spirit to reveal the deeper meaning in our liturgical practices that call us to use our personal experience of Divine Presence as the initiation of our action to make Jesus present in our communities as we live His Way.

References

Blandin Howard, J. (n.d.). Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Creighton On Line Ministries. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-february-2-2026 

Hebrews, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/2?14 

Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?22 

Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3?1 

Meditation on Luke 2:22-40. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/02/1492402/ 

Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?7 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/justice-requires-rest-for-all/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Favor of God Was upon Him. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Grace, Mercy and Renewal

The text from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invites us to consider how acting with grace and mercy spreads the message of Jesus Way in our environment.

Justice and Mercy

The Reading from the Prophet Malachi proclaims the Messenger of the Covenant.

* [3:1] My messenger…before me: Mt 11:10 applies these words to John the Baptist; Mt 11:14 further identifies John as Elijah (see Mal 3:23). Some take God’s messenger in v. 1a to be a person distinct from “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” in v. 1b; others hold that they are one and the same person. Some consider “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” to be divine, while others hold that in the text’s literal sense he is a messianic earthly ruler.

* [3:23] Elijah: taken up in a whirlwind, according to 2 Kgs 2:11. Here his return seems to be foretold. A Jewish tradition interpreted this literally; the gospels saw Elijah in the person of John the Baptist (Mt 11:13–14; 17:10–13; Mk 9:9–13). (Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 25 expresses confidence in God who forgives and guides.

* [Psalm 25] A lament. Each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Such acrostic Psalms are often a series of statements only loosely connected. The psalmist mixes ardent pleas (Ps 25:1–2, 16–22) with expressions of confidence in God who forgives and guides. (Psalms, PSALM 25 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims the Birth of John the Baptist. 

* [1:57–66] The birth and circumcision of John above all emphasize John’s incorporation into the people of Israel by the sign of the covenant (Gn 17:1–12). The narrative of John’s circumcision also prepares the way for the subsequent description of the circumcision of Jesus in Lk 2:21. At the beginning of his two-volume work Luke shows those who play crucial roles in the inauguration of Christianity to be wholly a part of the people of Israel. At the end of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 21:20; 22:3; 23:6–9; 24:14–16; 26:2–8, 22–23) he will argue that Christianity is the direct descendant of Pharisaic Judaism.

* [1:59] The practice of Palestinian Judaism at this time was to name the child at birth; moreover, though naming a male child after the father is not completely unknown, the usual practice was to name the child after the grandfather (see Lk 1:61). The naming of the child John and Zechariah’s recovery from his loss of speech should be understood as fulfilling the angel’s announcement to Zechariah in Lk 1:13, 20. (Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche considers Zechariah, who has also been silenced for doubting and looks at the meaning of biblical names. Zechariah means “Yahweh Remembers”, and Elizabeth can mean “Yahweh’s Oath”.

When the baby’s name is doubted, “Yahweh Remembers” asks for a tablet to write on. The old law, symbolically represented by Zechariah (a Levite), written on tablets, was silenced until the new law, written on a tablet, was given. What’s the new law? What does John’s name mean? Grace.

Grace, the son of Yahweh-Remembers and Yahweh’s-Oath, was born six months ago. Mary is due any day. The silence is broken. The tablet is written. The Way is being prepared. And I can’t wait. (Dyche, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes The parallels between John and Jesus, by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)

"The elderly Elizabeth gave birth to the last of the prophets, and Mary, a young girl, to the Lord of the angels. The daughter of Aaron gave birth to the voice in the desert (Isaiah 63:9), but the daughter of David to the strong God of the earth. The barren one gave birth to him who remits sins, but the Virgin gave birth to him who takes them away (John 1:29). Elizabeth gave birth to him who reconciled people through repentance, but Mary gave birth to him who purified the lands of uncleanness. The elder one lit a lamp in the house of Jacob, his father, for this lamp itself was John (John 5:35), while the younger one lit the Sun of Justice (Malachi 4:2) for all the nations. The angel announced to Zechariah, so that the slain one would proclaim the crucified one and that the hated one would proclaim the envied one. He who was to baptize with water would proclaim him who would baptize with fire and with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). The light, which was not obscure, would proclaim the Sun of Justice. The one filled with the Spirit would proclaim concerning him who gives the Spirit. The priest calling with the trumpet would proclaim concerning the one who is to come at the sound of the trumpet at the end. The voice would proclaim concerning the Word, and the one who saw the dove would proclaim concerning him upon whom the dove rested, like the lightning before the thunder." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 1.31) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:57-66 comments that Zechariah’s inability to speak likely caused him to step away from his priestly duties, which gave him more time for prayer and contemplation. And with no voice, he was more open to listening to the Holy Spirit. What a blessing that was!

How are you doing at listening—to the Spirit or to other people? Especially this week, are there ways God is calling you to slow down and ponder his word and his promises? You don’t need a major event like Zechariah’s to silence you. You can choose to do it on your own. And as you’ll see in tomorrow’s Gospel, the blessings that will flow can be unimaginable!

“Jesus, give me a listening heart!” (Meditation on Luke 1:57-66, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Malachi passage speaks about a messenger to separate the good from the bad fulfilled as Elijah and later in John the Baptist. In the Gospel of Luke Elizabeth wants to name her baby, John “God is merciful”. Zechariah signals His name is John after not believing the power of his own prayers. After a time of silence he is able to proclaim God’s will. Friar Jude notes the proclamation in the Benedictus, the canticle following in Luke’s Gospel.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, cites Theologian Ursula King who considers the wisdom of the Jesuit priest, scientist, and mystic Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955), who considered Christ’s incarnation in the physical world. King summarizes Teilhard’s contribution to an expansive understanding of Christ’s Incarnation.

In one sense Teilhard’s vision was a uniquely personal one…. Yet he also knew that the importance and strength of this vision transcended the limits of his own life, that it could fire people’s imagination, inspire their efforts, and give them hope…. His vision of the dignity of human life embedded in the larger web of cosmic life, his emphasis on global responsibility, action and choice in shaping the future of humanity on our planet, and the need for life-affirming spiritual goals can inspire people of all beliefs and none. For Christians Teilhard de Chardin is a remarkable, shining example of creative Christian renewal that believes in life, affirms life as a task to be done, a work to be achieved, and celebrates life as a most precious and wonderful gift to be loved and experienced as a sign of the Spirit who sustains us all. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We prepare to celebrate the Nativity of Christ and rejoice in the Spirit that motivates our acceptance of the gifts of grace, mercy and renewal.

References

Dyche, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 23, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-23-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1? 

Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3 

Meditation on Luke 1:57-66. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 23, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/23/1449903/ 

Psalms, PSALM 25 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/25?4 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 23, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/inspired-by-the-christ/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). What Then Will This Child Be? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 23, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/