Malachi 3:1-5
Hebrews 2:14-end
Luke 2 22-40
This week has been a week of bittersweet news. On the one hand we have been encouraged by the number of people now receiving the vaccine but on the other we mark the significant number of 100,000 deaths now related to Covid 19. We are told that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that life will one day go back to normal but in these short cold days of January it may seem difficult to believe as tighter border controls are discussed, and schools remain closed. Here at home, we continue to our daily routines, enjoying the sun and snow whenever possible.
In the church this Sunday we mark the end of the season of Christmas and Epiphany with the feast of Candlemas. We read once again the wonderful scripture from Luke’s gospel describing the moment when Jesus was presented in the temple by his parents. But it also is a bittersweet story. On the one hand we have the joy and celebration of the baby Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah who will bring salvation to all people but on the other we have the chilling warning from Simeon – that this will come at a cost and so we are immediately reminded of the passion and crucifixion.
This Candlemas, as we wait during these covid-restricted weeks for salvation in the form of vaccine to liberate us, we may wish to reflect on the faithfulness, patience and obedience of the characters in this story.
First, we have Simeon – devout, filled with the Holy Spirit and assured he would not die until he saw God’s Christ. He is then led by the Holy Spirit to the temple at the very hour that Jesus is being presented. Simeon had waited so patiently for this moment. He is then filled with joy and wonder as he says the words which we know as the Nunc Dimittis.
“Lord, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, For my eyes have seen your salvation”. Luke 2:29
And then we have Mary. Both she and Joseph would have heard Simeon’s words, been amazed and probably filled with huge parental pride, bursting with joy and gratitude. And then Simeon utters the chilling words of prophecy.
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. And a sword will pierce your own soul too”. Luke 2:35
There must have been real anguish and questioning in Mary’s heart at these words. Yet Mary throughout scripture never makes a fuss about anything, she quietly gets on with the business of rearing the son of God – of doing God’s work, in total obedience.
The child is named Jesus, in obedience to the message of the angel to Mary at the annunciation. In obedience to the law of Moses, the child is circumcised, and as the firstborn male of the family, is dedicated to the Lord. Mary offers a sacrifice for her purification after the interval of 40 days specified by the law is complete.
Finally, we have Anna a devout prophetess of advanced age who never left the temple but worshiped night and day praying and fasting. She too comes to the scene precisely when Jesus is being presented and gives thanks to God for him. In her old age she too shows such commitment, patience, perseverance and hope.
And so, we have three such faithful servants whose example of faith, prayer and courage have much to offer us in these days of lockdown.
In the OT, the prophet Malachi is also looking forward to salvation and a brighter future. In this text the Lord proposes that he will send his messenger to prepare the way for a great and dramatic event: the coming of the Lord himself to the temple. But he warns although the coming of the Lord will lead to the purification of his people, the process will be as painful as it is necessary.
In the epistle to the Hebrews, we are reminded that salvation is brought to us by the person of Jesus who is the incarnation of God. In the incarnation Jesus is none other than God himself but this does not mean that he is totally different from us. He is both divine and human. This can bring great spiritual comfort to us as, being human, Jesus knows what it is like to suffer – and so can sympathise with us when we suffer.
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death……..For this reason, he had to be made like them, a fully human in every way……… Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-end
All the texts today teach us that salvation does comes to us all ……even if it means we must wait….. and wait with patience and faith!
The Sunday Eucharist will be available at 11am online. You can access it on this link at that time. http://www.scotland.anglican.org/broadcast-sunday-worship/ Alternatively, you can access it by going straight onto the Scottish Episcopal Church website.
I will look forward to joining you all again via YouTube on Thursday for our morning Eucharist.
Please feel free to telephone me at any time.
My love and prayers to you all as always
Andrea
Loving God, bless and receive all who are affected by Coronavirus:
Especially:
Those who are sick and afraid
Those who are especially vulnerable
Those for whom home is not safe or available
Those who have lost their livelihoods
Those who have lost their lives
Those mourning for loved ones.
Amen