Saints and Seasons
We have a bit of a break this year in February, with Ash Wednesday not until March 5 and the Queen of Feats not until the 20th of the next month. That’s nearly as late as it can be. (Take a look at the Table for Finding Easter on page 880 of the Book of Common Prayer - it’s kind of fun.) But before we meander too far into this long Epiphany and on into Lent, the Church pauses once more to let our focus linger on the Incarnation.
On February 2 we celebrate The Presentation of the infant Christ in The Temple. It’s sometimes called Candlemas because the Prophet Simeon scoops the child up in his arms and proclaims him “the light to enlighten the nations.” Without knowing for what or for whom they had been waiting, both of these Prophets, Simeon and Anna, recognize Jesus as the “consolation of Israel,”
The child is presented to God by his parents, who make offering of the poor, two pigeons. If you could afford it, you offered a pair of turtledoves.) But simultaneously, and paradoxically, in this child, God is coming to meet his people. Both Anna and Simeon have waited and watched and hoped and believed through countless years and today, with the coming of this Baby to the temple, their long and faithful lives are fulfilled; they can “depart in peace.”
So far, so good, but neither the Incarnation nor the Presentation are simple stories of love and light. Anna and Simeon rejoice to see the Lord, but they are not blinded to the truth. Light always casts a shadow and Simeon foresees that ”This child is destined for the falling and rising of many ... and will be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed...” (Luke 2:33) Here to participate in a familiar Jewish ritual, his parents are amazed at what is being said about their son.
Mary, a faithful daughter of Abraham, has also come to the temple that day for herself, for her own rite of Purification. It’s easy to scoff at the belief that one in unclean because of childbirth, or menstrual blood or, indeed, sexuality. But seen in another light, it is laudatory to allow a woman 40 days after childbirth to focus exclusively on her this new state of motherhood rather than scuttling her “out of the hospital” in 24 hours.... And the starkest prophesy of them all, to me, are Simeon’s words to her: “And a sword will pierce your own soul also.” An enigma at first, I wonder if these words came to be a comfort. How many times over the years did Mary recall those words? Surely, when he was found Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem when he was 12; when he said so bluntly that his real mother and father and sisters and brothers were those who believed and followed him; at the foot of the cross when all the bright promise seemed to be dying. (Luke 2: 34-35)
Epiphany is the season where we celebrate the Light which has come into the world, light which we need in order to see the truth and light to lead us through the darkness when it comes.
Lord, the light of your love is shining,
in the midst of the darkness, shining,
Jesus light of the world, shine upon us,
set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Louise Buck
February 2014
Written for the the monthly pulication of The Gospel at Dt David's,
St David's Episcopal Church San Diego, California
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