Presentation in the Temple, Year C
Candlemas takes place on the 2nd of February every year. It is also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus and the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And I bet most of us have never celebrated it or participated in the many different rituals associated with this day!
In fact, it so rarely falls on a Sunday that I have never had the occasion to preach on this Feast Day. I had to do some serious research into both its meaning and practice before I could find significance for those who are gathered today in 21st Century Seattle.
This day is based in Jewish ritual and tradition. The birth of a firstborn child and the survival of both mother and child are never assured. Childbirth is accompanied by danger, hope, joy and far too often, sorrow. Mary and Joseph have already experienced visits from the Angel Gabriel and the angelic hosts, prophecy and promise from Mary’s cousin Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah, as well as the fear and difficulty of the birth in a manger and the visit by the shepherds.
They are no doubt exhausted by caring for a newborn along with the travel to and from Bethlehem and now this required trip to Jerusalem. They continue to wonder about the future for their son and the amazing events surrounding his conception and birth. But they are also poor, first-time parents simply trying to do the best for their child.
February 2 is 40 days after Christmas. Traditionally a lamb would be offered by the family as a sacrifice, but when they were too poor, as in Mary and Joseph’s case, they could substitute common birds instead. This was also the time when the mother would be ritually purified and returned to full participation in the worship life of the community. 40 days is long enough to hope that both mother and child will be fully recovered from the difficulties of childbirth and that the baby is strong enough to survive.
What is notable about this event is the presence of aged Simeon and Anna, devout and faithful servants and prophets of God. At this ritual, multiple generations are represented. The elderly Simeon who has been waiting for God’s Messiah and the prophet Anna who proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah are present to hold and bless the child as well as to share the good news of the fulfillment of God’s promise. The parents are present, they who have said “yes” to God and offered themselves not only to bear the Messiah, but to take on all the responsibility of raising Jesus. And the baby is present, full of grace and truth, pure hope and expectation, already beloved and filled with the Spirit. An ordinary ritual repeated thousands of times, is filled with meaning, power and significance for those who have eyes to see.
Rituals have power. They affirm a collective understanding of birth and death as well as a reverence for the holiness and value of all life. Rituals place the individual within the continuum of community, with elders who go before us and the generations that will follow us. They are acts of faith, hope and love even in the middle of difficult times.
The difficulty ahead for all involved in the Presentation of Jesus is real. Simeon and Anna are ancient by their culture’s context and will face their own decline and death very soon. The Temple itself will be utterly destroyed in just a few decades and the religious rituals of the Jewish people will be upended. Mary’s very soul will be pierced as she witnesses the death of her beloved child on a cross after only 33 years of life. As Simeon predicted, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Many of us participated in a different ritual this past Thursday as we attended the Topping Off Ceremony for the Affordable Housing building on our property. If you’re not associated with the construction industry, you may not know the significance of this rite. It occurs when the construction crews have successfully completed the excavation, foundation and framing of the entire building and are ready to put on the roof. For an 8 story building with 84 units of housing this is a big deal. They completed the work ahead of schedule, within budget and without any injuries. This is the most dangerous part of the build so reaching the milestone calls for a celebration.
The entire crew, literally dozens of workers all dressed in work clothes, boots and hard hats were given an extended lunch time and provided with a taco feast as well as cake. The BRIDGE Housing team came from San Diego along with the architect and owner’s representatives. Our Bishop, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocesan Property Manager and Diocesan Photographer were all present.
The rite includes the presentation of the final beam that is to be placed on the top before the roof is put on. Everyone who has a part in making this project a reality signs the beam. Our elders were present, those who have been working and dreaming towards this day for many years including those who opposed earlier development plans that would not have included affordable housing. New members who have become part of this community in order to support this work were there. Generous donors from the congregation and the diocese were present. Former gardeners and a few Edible Hope guests took part.
Because it was a work day, many of you could not be present. But everyone was represented, even our kids since Mike Bigelow took his lunch hour to make sure the beam was signed on behalf of the Rawls/Bigelow family and all our families who will be the ones in the future to see the fruition of all our hopes and hard work.
This ritual was an act of faith, hope and love. Faith in a future where people will be able to find safety and shelter that is affordable for multiple generations. Hope for a community that will include a diverse group from “every tribe and language and people” with affordable child care and support services that connect residents with the many resources of this neighborhood. We say we are “Building a Place Where Love Dwells” and that is already evident. The celebration included workers from a variety of different nationalities and backgrounds, church people and unchurched folks, a variety of income and class groups and all ages.
In the midst of challenges and fear for the future, we are called to a living hope and faithful action. When all around us the voices of hatred and revenge are threatening to tear communities apart, we come together on behalf of the most vulnerable to share what we have received and work for peace and justice.
There are some among us who may not live to see the vision fully realized. Like Simeon, may you be able to pray, “Lord now let your servant depart in peace because my eyes have seen the Savior.” Some of us will be called to stand firm as the inner thoughts of those who would turn us against one another and demean and devalue the children of God are revealed. We will need every reminder that we are stronger when we work for peace, justice and unity for all. And then there are our children, with whom all our hopes reside and for whom we will face fear and opposition. We are trusting God on their behalf and working towards a better life for all our neighbors.
All of this is possible because the Holy Spirit is guiding it. The first people our Bishop met, were the members of our prayer group who gather online every Thursday to pray for this community, the nation and the world. The Spirit definitely rests upon their ministry. We have been given a vision by God’s Spirit that we are trying to follow faithfully as we do this work. And we have all been grateful for the partners and resources that have been provided so generously to bring us to this point.
The mission of Jesus was supported by elders, parents, disciples, women, outcasts, the afflicted, those delivered from demonic forces, foreigners, Gentiles, slaves, Pharisees, tax collectors and notorious sinners. The dream and Kingdom that he points to will include everyone and will last beyond any earthly dominion. Every now and then we catch a glimpse of what it might be like, even in the midst of dark and difficult times. For that glimpse, thanks be to God.
