Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

This Sunday we take a step back from last week's Gospel reading and listen more closely to an account of Jesus' presentation in the Temple.

In the first reading from the prophet Malachi, we get a brief chemistry lesson about the purification of noble metals - of how an alkali will strip impurities out of molten silver and gold - a metaphor for the much-needed purification of the Temple, and by extension the people of God. The Lord will enter the Temple like fire, leaving no-one standing, and reform the people to the law, Malachi declares.

In comparison, Jesus' presentation in the Temple seems tame. Here is an infant, a vulnerable child brought to the Temple to fulfil the law. He is embraced by Simeon and Anna, and Simeon is bold enough to bless God not only for revealing the saviour of Israel, but the light that will bring all nations to know and love God.

Malachi railed against the Jews tarnishing the Covenant by embracing and marrying the pagans, but Simeon - an upright and devout man according to Luke - proclaims that salvation will include them too.

Persevering with the chemistry metaphor, it seems that the difference is Jesus; that he is the catalyst. The substance with the potential to purify the hearts and minds of all of God's people, whether they are of the Temple or not.

At first glance Luke's account of the holy family's encounter with Simeon seems somehow less than the powerful intervention that Malachi would have hoped for. But on reflection, Simeon's presents us with a vision of God that is unlimited by our notions of purity. Of love powerful enough to overcome cultural, and even religious differences, and realise the nobility of every human heart.

Simeon in the Temple with the infant Jesus

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