Offer yourselves to the Lord!

The Presentation of the Lord

Luke 2:22-40

We celebrate today the presentation of Jesus in the temple. The Scripture mentions the reason for such presentation: "Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

We reflect on three things that go with today's feast:

First, purification.  Purification is a loaded word; it carries with it realities of "purity" or "purifying".  Through purification, "hearts will be laid bare".  Our transparency before God is always exposed.  Let's allow him to purify all our intentions.

Second, light.  Jesus is our light; he lights up our paths.  It's time to give our fullest selves to him and seek his guidance.

Third, pure offerings.  The presentation is about offering "the purest sacrifices" coming from our hearts.  Our offerings should be as pure as our Lord.

Let's remember the time we were presented to the Lord in our baptism and how our parents offer us each day to the Lord and renew ourselves to him.

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