Skip to main content

“A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel” (Lk 2:32)

The story of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Lk. 2:22-40) is a story of three parts. The first part (Lk. 2:22-35) is the encounter with Simeon. The second part (vv. 36-38) is the encounter with Anna and the third part (vv. 39-40) is the growth of the child in the home of Mary and Joseph in Nazareth.

In the first part (Lk. 2:22-35), the evangelist emphasizes Jesus’ fulfilment of the Law or the Torah. Luke repeatedly mentions that the parents of Jesus were keen to do for him what the Law of Moses required (vv. 22.23.24.27). Moreover, Simeon whom they encounter is described as righteous and devout, terms which refer to devotion to the Law (See Ananias in Acts 22:12). Again, the name Simeon comes from the Hebrew Shema which means to listen or to be obedient to the Law. Thus, the first characterization of Joseph and Mary are people who observe the Law of YHWH. Those who receive Jesus, are first and foremost people devoted to the Law.

The second part (Lk. 2:36-38) is the encounter with a prophetess Anna. Luke makes an interesting observation of the woman. She has been faithful to YHWH from the time of her virginity, hence her childhood, through the time of her marriage, her youth, to the time of her widowhood. Anna is the model of faithfulness. She is the prototype of the person who remains true no matter the circumstances. The testimony of Anna indicates that Jesus comes to fulfil the prophets, those who will call Israel to covenant fidelity and remind her of her marriage to YHWH.

The third part (Lk. 2: 39-40) is the family life of the child back in Nazareth. One word stands out in v. 40. The child grew in Wisdom. Wisdom is that quality which one acquires through a good upbringing, the ability to differentiate good from evil and to choose good. Jesus at his presentation thus fulfils the entire revelation to Israel. He is the fulfilment of the Law, the Prophets and Wisdom, the three parts of God’s self-revelation to Israel. Thus, he is the light to enlighten the gentiles and the glory of Israel his people.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rev. Fr. Michael Mensah, SSD Fr. Michael Kodzo Mensah is a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Ghana. He is a Biblical Exegete and holds a Doctorate in Sacred Scriptures from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome, Italy. He is currently a Formator and Academic Dean of St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary, Sowutuom in Accra, Ghana.
Post a Comment
Read more

…they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (Mt. 2:11)

Epiphany celebrates the coming of the Magi who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the infant king born in Bethlehem. But is that the first time someone brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to Israel? By no means!  We could recall an episode in 1 Kgs. 10 in which a certain queen of Sheba having heard of the wise king Solomon also brought gifts to him. The passage recalls that she brought gold and a large quantity of spices. In fact, in Isa. 60:6, there is a veiled reference to this episode when it mentions that gold and frankincense will be brought to Jerusalem from Sheba. Again, in 1 Kgs. 10:25, myrrh is mentioned as one of the gifts brought to Solomon. So why gold, frankincense and myrrh? Gold is definitely a royal gift. Solomon was a King and a wealthy one too. Gold was an acknowledgement of his economic prowess and of his good fortune. Frankincense was also expressive of another reality. In 1 Kgs. 8, Solomon had just built a temple; one that had g...
Post a Comment
Read more

THE BOOK IS HERE!

Breaking The Word (Year A) is the first in the series of a three-volume work dedicated to the explanation of scripture readings for Sundays and Feast days, according to the Catholic Liturgical Calendar. The author leads the reader to discover new insights into these passages of Holy Scripture by returning to the original texts in Hebrew and Greek as the basis for the interpretation of these passages.  The book is thus the perfect study manual for both preacher and student not only in terms of content but also in terms of the exegetical methods which the author employs on every page of this work. It is also the perfect companion for everyone of Christ’s faithful who feels that restless desire to go deeper below the surface of the Word of God proclaimed on Sundays and Feast days.
1 comment
Read more