Dear Friends in Christ,
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation. According to the Law of Moses, a child was brought to the Temple and an offering of two turtle doves was made to God, in thanksgiving for the birth of the child.
Mary and Joseph bring their first born son to the Temple. The fact that they offered the turtle doves is an indication that they were poor and could not afford a more extravagant offering.
We know, of course, that they were offering the Promised Messiah, the Savior of the world, the only Son of God. This Feastday is like a second Epiphany, in so far as Jesus is revealed in God’s Holy Temple. Simeon and Anna, both highly respected assistants at the Temple, and both very close to God, recognized in the infant Jesus, the Promised Messiah.
In the Canticle of Simeon, we hear how his greatest dream has been fulfilled, as he gazes upon Our Savior. He also alerts Mary that much suffering awaits her, and that she will continue to have a prominent role in our Salvation saga.
If Jesus were to appear in our beautiful Basilica here in Carmel, would we recognize Him?
The challenge for us, as followers of Jesus, is to recognize Him in our neighbor.
Blessings,
Fr. Paul
Please take a moment to read our Carmel Mission Weekly Bulletin.