4TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME HOMILY – YEAR C 2025
PRESENTATION OF THE LORD – CONTINUITY AND TRADITION
Lk 2.22-40 Mal 3.1-4 Heb 2.14-18
Back we go in Luke’s Gospel, where we have an interruption to the account of Jesus’ early ministry. We are presented with a lovely scene of an elderly pair, waiting at the Temple for the promised one, with Mary and Joseph appearing with Jesus as a baby, in order to observe the requirements of Jewish Law. This could be seen to be much as we do for Baptism of our children, in order to formally welcome them into our faith community, following their arrival in their own loving families. It’s not just about Christian initiation, but also a statement about belonging to a broader, supportive environment, where they can grow and learn in a faith context, with supportive parents who formally make a commitment to showing them the way in life and faith.
We talk about Baptism as a lifelong commitment to living the Christian life, not just a social convention or excuse for a party or ticket to Catholic education. Whilst the weddings are down statistically, especially in church, parents’ and partners’ commitment to what Baptism for their children means, is still strong.
As I have mentioned earlier, last year we had 72 Baptisms here at St Therese’s for both of our church communities, and the commitment statements made by parents are moving and sincere, in wanting to educate and lead their children in Christian faith in our Catholic tradition. In parallel with today’s Gospel account, we generally have grandparents and sometimes great grandparents present as well, reflecting their joy, love and support as well, welcoming these children into their lives.
It’s a wonderful dimension of later life, where it’s a great opportunity to give these children a good time, share their stories, stir them up, and hand them back to parents, who cop the brunt of the responsibilities of sharing the love and the hard work of day to day family life, which we need to acknowledge, is no easy task, but a lifelong commitment, even when some relationships fail to endure, however good and sincere the intentions might have been in the first place, and we should not be judgmental about that!
While they mightn’t come too often to Mass, it’s important to acknowledge their connection, albeit loose, to our faith community, and to welcome and encourage them when they do appear, emphasising the positive nature of the Gospel message and the relevance of the person of Jesus!
The scripture scholars point to Luke’s focus on family, faith, tradition, continuity between old and new ways, and even gender balance! As the Jerome Biblical Commentary puts it: “Jerusalem is a very important theme and symbol in Luke for God’s blessings and continuity between promise and fulfilment , between Judaism and reconstituted Israel, which journeys forth from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (AA1.8)… Man and woman stand together and side by side before God, They are equal in honour and grace, they are endowed with the same gifts and have the same responsibilities.”
So, Mary and Joseph come to the temple, where dear old faithful Simeon and Anna have been waiting for this moment of fulfilment for them, and for the broader community of Israel. Then again, when Simeon says his prayer of thanks, he refers to all people being enlightened by the coming of this child, whose future mission is to bring the good news to all, without discrimination or limits, as is expressed at the end of the Gospel, and described in Acts of the Apostles.
I reckon we can translate their presence into that of the oldies of my generation, who come along to be part of the welcome and celebration of life and faith, also committed to sharing that faith with these children into the future, for the rest of their lives. This is very much a reflection of the reality of life and the importance of extended family, and so the role of each generation to play a part in the lives of those to come.
I see it more and more when grandchildren express their appreciation of grandparents’ presence in their lives and the positive influence they have been, and the happy memories that they leave behind. It’s a wonderful aspect of life, not to be ignored or forgotten..
The words of old Simeon’s prophetic words and then prayer of farewell are poignant and meaningful, expressing a life of deep faith and hope, now fulfilled as he welcomes the child Jesus into his arms. He forewarns Mary of future anxiety and sadness, but is reassuring in his words of hope and encouragement. And really, the same goes for all of us, who are following the path of faithful discipleship, with all the ups and downs of life ongoing.
Simeon (God has heard) has been a faithful servant and is now free to depart in peace. Anna (grace or favor), likewise, represents the female side of faithful service, at 84 years old, not bad for those days, but we could ask why her age is given and not that of Simeon!! There’s a bit of discrimination there, although maybe Luke couldn’t remember Simeon’s age? It’s not a key issue anyway.
Meanwhile, the child Jesus grows to maturity back home in quiet and unannounced obscurity, until he emerges again in the temple scene as a 12 year old.
I conclude with Brendan Byrne SJ’s insight: “In so many aspects, then, this feast is about offering and self-dedication: that of Jesus, and that of Mary – and that of all who eek to make their lives something ‘pleasing to the Lord’.”
That’s for you and me to sort out for ourselves in the way we continue to live the Gospel in our own lives.
john hannon 2nd February 2025