Feast of the Presentation

 

FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION 


Normally, we would be observing the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time. However, this year the Fourth Sunday coincides with the Feast of the Presentation (Feb 2nd). Therefore we are being called upon to celebrate the feast day rather than the Sunday. You might be wondering: what makes the Presentation so important? We’ve already commemorated the arrival of Jesus; we did that on December 25th. The arrival in Bethlehem is what really matters. This marks the bridging of a gap between our world and that other world. Jesus belongs to the world of the divine. By being born of a human mother, the world of divinity and the world of humanity are brought together, or we could say “reconciled.”  Therefore, why should we be so concerned about this visit to the temple in Jerusalem? 


Simeon recognizes the significance of the occasion. Likewise, Anna recognizes the significance of the occasion (see Luke 2:22-38). They’ve been waiting and waiting; for all practical purposes, keeping vigil. Now they have the privilege of looking upon the Messiah. They understand that this represents a new chapter in salvation history. Jesus doesn’t just “visit” the temple; he will actually be REPLACING the temple. Previously, the temple was where you encountered the Lord, and furthermore where you made your peace with the Lord. You pursue this objective by doing what needs to be done. It’s all about the performing of tasks: making your pilgrimage to the temple, arranging for whatever will be required in the way of sacrifices. That’s the focus. You’re concentrating on tasks, on customs, and on the prescribed ritual sacrifices. 


As it turns out, we are being introduced to a New Covenant. The Original Covenant calls for the performing of tasks. With the New Covenant, we have a shift in focus: the emphasis being placed more on a relationship than on a listing of tasks. Look, not to the temple, but to the person of Christ. The temple will soon disappear; it will be destroyed by the Romans when we reach the year 70 A.D.  Christ remains with us always, through every stage of history (see Matt. 28:20). He maintains his presence through the establishment of a Church—a Church that will be endowed with a Sacramental charter. Through the Sacraments, we can encounter the Lord, and have our peace with the Lord. The temple achieved this end, at least to a degree. Now, through Christ, we can aim for the “fullness” of redemption (Ps. 130:7). With Christ, we experience a new brand of “fullness” (Col. 1:19), beyond what the temple can provide. 


Given this new sense of direction, should we leave behind all notions of custom, all notions of ritual? Have they outlived their usefulness? Perhaps we will be able to gain some sense of perspective by turning our attention to the following illustration. Imagine a young couple, newly married, sitting down to eat their supper. They haven’t had very many home-cooked meals together at this point. For his part, the husband enjoys the pot roast that is being served. But he’s curious about the manner in which it has been prepared. He wants to know why his wife has cut off the ends of the roast? She indicates that this is what she learned from her mother. The mother, when consulted, gives the same response—leaving them to finally make contact with the elderly grandmother. What they discover is that the grandmother had to make do with just one pan. To fit a pot roast in that pan, you had to cut off both of the ends. In other words, here is a custom that has probably outlived its usefulness. 


When we turn our attention to the customs and the ritual practices that make up our Roman Catholic tradition, they remain a part of the picture because they serve the relationship we have with Christ. Customs and rituals are not to be understood as ends in and of themselves. They are a means toward an end—a means toward the Ultimate End: namely, Christ. They draw us into a closer, a deeper, relationship with the Lord. At least they have the potential of doing so, if approached properly and responsibly. To the extent that they serve this critical, all important relationship with Christ, these rituals and customs retain their intrinsic value. In no way have they outlived their usefulness. 

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