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Illustration: Simeon the God-receiver by Alexei Yegorov, 1830s–40s
Pope Francis’ Angelus Reflection for The Presentation of the Lord
Saint Peter’s Square – Sunday, 2 February 2025
Sunday Gospel (Lk 2:22-40)
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said: ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’ As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favor was with him.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today the Gospel of the Liturgy tells us about Mary and Joseph who bring the child Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem. In accordance with the Law, they present him in the dwelling place of God, to recall that life comes from the Lord. And while the Holy Family was doing what had always been done among the people of Israel, from generation to generation, something happened that had never happened before.
Two elders, Simeon and Anna, prophesized about Jesus: they praised God and spoke of the child “to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (v. 38). Their heartfelt voices resounded among the ancient stones of the Temple, announcing the fulfilment of Israel’s expectation. God is truly present in the midst of his people: not because he dwells within the four walls, but because he lives as a man among men. And this is the newness of Jesus. In the old age of Simeon and Anna, the novelty takes place that changes the history of the world.
Mary and Joseph, for their part, were astonished at what they heard (cf. v. 33). In fact, when Simeon holds the child in his arms, he calls him in three beautiful ways that are worthy of reflection. Three ways, three names he gives him. Jesus is salvation, Jesus is light, Jesus is a sign of contradiction.
First of all, Jesus is salvation. Simeon, praying to God, says: “My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before all the nations” (v. 30-31). This always amazes us: universal salvation concentrated in one person! Yes, because in Jesus dwells the fullness of God, of his love (cf. Col 2:9).
Second aspect: Jesus is “a light for the revelation of the Gentiles” (v. 32). Like the sun that rises over the world, this Child will liberate it from the darkness of evil, pain and death. How much we need light, this light, even today!
Finally, the child embraced by Simeon is a sign of contradiction, “so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (v. 35). Jesus reveals the criterion for judging the whole of history and its drama, as well as the life of each one of us. What is this criterion? It is love: those who love, live; those who hate, die.
Jesus is salvation, Jesus is light, and Jesus is the sign of contradiction.
Enlightened by this encounter with Jesus, we can then ask ourselves the following:
what do I expect from my life?
What is my great hope?
Does my heart desire to see the face of the Lord?
Am I waiting for the manifestation of His plan of salvation for humanity?
Let us pray together to Mary, the most pure mother, so that she may accompany us through the lights and shadows of history, that she may always lead us to the encounter with the Lord.
