Presentation and the year of Hope

 In the Presentation, we notice how the old meets the new. Mary and Joseph bring the child Jesus to the temple for ritual cleansing of Mary and his presentation to the Lord as the firstborn in accord with the Mosaic Law. This consecration to the Lord recognises the deep longing in our hearts to be focused on God with all our heart, mind and body. This is not just an abstract ritual but a genuine desire to discover the light of Christ shining amid our assembly.

We see this seed planted especially in those consecrated to the religious way of life. In renewing their vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, they echo the words of Simeon, who longs to see the face of God. While they may perform many good works, the relational aspect of their lives witnesses to a life that is not their own. They are inspired by the Holy Spirit to be pilgrims of hope in our modern age. 

In our own lives, we, too, are called to witness the hope manifested in the Presentation. We are called to be witnesses to Christ with our whole life. We are gifted with the spirit to live for Christ in our baptism. We become a people who are consecrated to become more like Christ and to focus on how we live that out with our whole heart, mind and body. We are called to become wholistic so that our call to holiness is not just an achievement of our own but points to God. 

How do we fill our jars!

When I undertook the Ignatian exercises, I was called to reflect on the scene from the wedding in Cana. I recall that I came to Jesus with a long list of complaints saying that I did not have to fill six jars but over 37 jars with water. As soon as I finished filling the last one, the others were exhausted from their contents. I remember staying with this prayer at the time and even now. We seek to fill many jars with our natural gifts and are left feeling spent that there are never enough hours in the day to achieve what we desire. The focus is on ourselves and the demands that are placed upon us. We wrestle with the fact that there are only 24 hours each day and seven days a week. Where will I find the time to be all I want?

As I stayed with this scene, I was reminded that I had only been asked to fill six jars with water. Also, it was not my actions that turned the water into wine but the graceful presence of Jesus. This experience can become a sobering insight when we believe our salvation is achieved through effort and hard work. Sometimes, we have to realise that we are called to be people who cooperate with the Holy Spirit through the gifts we have to share. We are called to grow in a partnership with God and each other. Our spirituality grows through a relationship of mutuality that does not seek to change the world into our image and likeness but allows us to rejoice in God's creative plan.

Thus, what do I feel God is prompting us in our current age? The first is six days for work and one day for rest. Each day brings challenges, and we are called to fill our jars with the natural gifts and talents entrusted to us. It is also important to realise that by surrendering ourselves to God's grace, Jesus turns the water into wine. We enjoy not just any wine but the finest wine. So when we reach the end of the day, we can look back with thanksgiving for how we noticed God's graced presence that day. Then, on Sunday, it allows us to become present to a God who can rest with us and rejoice.