The Presentation of Our Lord | Wednesday 2 February 2022

Today is Wednesday the 2nd of February, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.




Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Be Thou My Vision’.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.
Today’s reading will be read once in parts, with pauses for reflection as we go along.

Luke 2: 22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.



Imagine Mary and Joseph climbing the Temple steps, carrying their baby son Jesus, on way to make their sacrifice to the Lord. This would have taken place forty days after the birth of Jesus.

As you enter the Temple, you see Simeon, a righteous and devout man.

The Holy Spirit rests upon him, what do you notice about him? How does he look to you? What facial features strike you? Do any particular gestures capture you?



Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’

Imagine Simeon now as he approaches Jesus and takes him in his arms, and praises God.

His waiting is over, in Jesus, he sees God’s salvation, revelation, light and glory.

Can you recall the time you first encountered Jesus? What was this like? How did you feel?

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

Take a moment now to gaze at Mary and Joseph as Simeon both blesses them and offers his prophetic words; “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” What impact do these words have on you as you hear them?

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Imagine that you also approach the group. Can you join in with them as they look at the child and praise God? Stay in this place in these final moments of the prayer time…

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.