Presentation of Christ in the Temple 01 02 2026
FIRST READING: Malachi 3.1-5
Second Reading: Hebrews 2.14-end
GOSPEL Luke 2:22-40
Today is a very special Sunday as we conclude our Epiphany season as we celebrate the ‘Presentation of Christ in the Temple’. This festival is also known as Candlemas. We had a joyful celebration of Christmas and our focus now is towards the suffering death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On this day we remember the event when Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus to the temple for the ceremonial rite of purification. That is what Joseph and Mary wanted to do, but as they came to the temple in Jerusalem, something more beautiful happens. This was not what Joseph and Mary anticipated. The Holy family bump into Simeon who was an elderly person who spent most of his time in the temple in Jerusalem. He was given a promise by God, that he will not see death before he sees the Messiah. He lived with this hope for days, weeks, months and years together.
Simeon saw baby Jesus and took the child in his arms and proclaimed that Jesus is ‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ Simeon reveals who Jesus is to Joseph and Mary and they would have been greatly surprised or perhaps even shocked. Luke says that Joseph and Mary were amazed at what they heard.
Anna, another elderly person who stayed in the temple spending time in prayer also joins in and start talking about the child Jesus.
We observe some fascinating things in this ‘presentation’ event. The first thing is the significance of the elderly people in the temple. The whole Jewish world at that time was waiting for the Messiah but Simeon and Anna seem to wait with confidence that they are going to see the Messiah. They devoted to prayer in the temple; this is such a beautiful work before God.
Luke tells us that both Simeon and Anna were led by the Holy Spirit as they waited with hope. It is very special because the priests in the temple were not able to see Jesus as the Messiah or the Son of God but Simeon and Anna could see and proclaim and that can be attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Simeon and Anna are able to see things before they could happen and that is a special gift of the Holy Spirit in the prophetic tradition.
Joseph and Mary on hearing the words of Simeon and Anna must have recognised the great responsibility entrusted to their care, to nurture and bring up the Saviour of the world.
Like Simeon and Anna, we meet Jesus and feel his presence every time we worship him. His light shines within us helping us to see the world with the love of God.