The Presentation of the Lord

Presentation of the Lord

Jesus didn't need to be born to save us.

He did it for us, partially to show us how important we are.

Jesus didn't need to be baptized.

He did it for us, so we will see how important it is, and that he experienced literally everything, so we can be convinced that he is a compassionate God, who wants us through baptism to be part of this new cosmic everlasting family of children of God.

And God himself can be called now: my older Brother, Jesus my Savior.

We also have a Father in heaven. His is a perfect love. And until I truly taste, or experience his love for me, I haven't started to be alive yet.

Am I living my life as someone very treasured and loved; over whom Guardian Angel watches constantly, eager to help me, in any possible way, to grow in holiness, virtue and love for everyone and God especially?

Am I happy? Am I convinced that God really loves me? 

How would I react with my family and friends if I was truly a happy person?

What about those unfinished chores, or the homework not yet done? What about that apology I should have made to someone?

We have a very special mother here on earth, Holy Mother Church.

In Heaven, we have our Blessed Mother. Both Mothers care for us dearly.  But are we completely convinced of their love?

Do we allow ourselves to be loved by Our Blessed Mother? Are we eager to learn from her?

This is a challenge within our own families, because we may never be completely reconciled with or truly understood by our parents. This makes it even more difficult to understand the depth of love and the treasure of our Heavenly Mother. 

If you learn how to love, by praying the Rosary, you will learn also how to truly love your parents as the Blessed Mother loved all the people there, even those who hurt her Son – our Savior.

This is a quality of love I would love to be able to embrace, too.

On February 2, our church celebrated the Presentation of the Lord. This commemorates Jesus being presented in the Temple.

He didn't need it. He did it for us.

Jesus was consecrated in the temple, so I can start the day with morning Consecration, and finish with evening prayer for an awesome death. To be honest, how could I expect to achieve these things any other way?

A day should begin with a prayer like the Morning Offering:

           O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day

for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart

in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,

for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians,

and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.

A good prayer to end our day is the Simeon Prayer:

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.

Why should we pray? Maybe a good prayer for the grace of good death. A prayer to become a friend with this strange moment that will someday transport me to my final rest. That’s something we should be looking forward to – right?

Truly, if I'm loved and treasured and saturated in the love of my heavenly Father, then death itself is not scary at all.

Heavenly Father I am your loved and treasured child, with such an amazing older brother, truly a Savior of my life. And looking around I see all these beautiful people, my family and my siblings.

Help me my Beautiful Father to embrace your love and start to live my life in happiness and tranquility of order.  May my heart hunger after your love and be courageously open to its presence. Help me then like Simeon to become a grateful servant of the Holy Spirit.

Help me to not to be afraid of my death, but rather let her coming transform my temporary living here, into a time of grateful walking with my human family toward a better future and fullness of happiness in heaven. To you be Glory in Everything. Amen.

Father Matt Rudzik is the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Tallassee.