The Presentation of the Lord (Feast)
. . . that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death. (Hebrews 2:14)
A survey was once taken of fifty people over the age of ninety. They were asked, "If you could live your life all over again, what would you do differently?" Their responses boiled down to three answers:
1. Reflect more. 2. Risk more. 3. Do more-especially more things that would touch other people.
What do you suppose had stopped these people from living as full a life as they wanted? One of the likeliest answers would probably be fear: fear of failure. Fear of how other people would react. And fear of death.
That's right, fear of death. That's because the more you are afraid of dying, the more energy you devote to preserving yourself. And that means less energy spent on trying new things. But as the writer of Hebrews tells us, Jesus has taken care of the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15). We proclaim it at every Mass: dying, he destroyed our death. Now risen from the dead, Jesus offers us the hope of eternal life.
Here's the great news: if Jesus has released us from our fear of dying, then surely he can take away our fear of living! When we know that we are safe in his hands, we feel a little more daring and are a little more willing to take risks -- because we don't have as much to lose anymore. With Christ in the heavens and his Spirit in our hearts, we know we aren't alone. We know God will take care of us.
On this feast of the Presentation, take Simeon as your model. Here was an old man who had waited his whole life for the Messiah. Then, when he saw Jesus, he took him in his arms -- a pretty bold thing to do with Mary and Joseph standing right there—and praised God (Luke 2:28). You can do the same. What is your dream? What has the Lord been putting on your heart? Just step out in faith, and reach for it; don't let fear stand in your way!
"Lord, I surrender my fear to you. Please give me a spirit of courage and boldness. Help me trust that I can do all things through you as you strengthen me."
Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 24:7-10
Luke 2:22-40
Daily Marriage Tip for February 2, 2016:
Mary and Joseph took Jesus "up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord" (Luke 2:22). All parents receive their children from the Lord and must "present" them back to Him, recognizing that ultimately they belong to God and find their identity in Him.