Lk 2:22-35
22When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] took [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” 24and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon... 27He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 28he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
29“Now, Master, you may let your servant go/ in peace, according to your word,/ 30for my eyes have seen your salvation,/ 31which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,/ 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles,/ and glory for your people Israel.”
33The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted 35(and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Reflection
The fall and rise of many: Christ comes to liberate men and women from themselves, from slavery to sin and death, from rebellion against God. He leaves the earthly political forces to run their course and come to terms with their fleeting character. He does not disobey civil and religious laws and instead obeys them faithfully as long as they are just and valid.
At the opening pages of his gospel, Luke presents Jesus as obedient to both civil and religious laws. His parents, on his behalf, obey the imperial decree regarding the census (Lk 2:1-5). In today’s gospel, they, too, obey Jewish law regarding the ritual purification of the Jewish mother (Lv 12:2, 4) and the consecration of the firstborn son (Ex 13:2, 12).
By unquestioning obedience, Jesus, through his parents, accepts the human condition and forges irrevocable bonds of solidarity with the people he has chosen to save. He, the Messiah, agent of salvation, freely decides to take all the trouble of saving us. He could choose otherwise but he does not, and this makes all the difference.
Before us, Jesus presents the messianic opportunity to make a difference. He waits for our decision.