February 2, 2025: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted — and you yourself a sword will pierce — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Reflection
A puzzle palace … the unofficial name of Providence Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. On any given day or hour, on numerous tables and counters, lie puzzles in progress.
On any given day or hour, one can find boxes of puzzles waiting to be poured over and completed. The number of puzzle players seems too slippery to count. Players come and go at all hours of the day and night.
Life hands out puzzles of a different kind. On any given day or hour a situation arises, a question is asked, a friend drops in with good or bad news to share. There we are — left with a puzzle piece to fit into our lives.
This Sunday’s Gospel relays the story of Jesus’ presentation in the temple. The event seems straightforward. Adhering to “the law of the Lord” Mary and Joseph present Jesus “to be consecrated to the Lord.” They offer the prescribed sacrifice.
No puzzling elements at all until the old man Simeon appears, takes the baby in his arms and declares that God can now let Simeon “go in peace … for my eyes have seen your salvation.” Simeon goes on to tell the new parents that their child will be “a sign that will be contradicted.” The old man, still holding her child, warns Mary a sword will pierce her heart “so the thoughts of others may be revealed.”
Seemingly out of nowhere, the elderly prophet Anna appears. At the sight of the child, she gave thanks to God and told everyone who would listen that “the redemption of Israel” was at hand. What seemed a simple act of fulfilling the law of the Lord took some startling twists and turns.
Mary and Joseph had much to talk about on their long journey home. What just happened back there? How did Simeon and Anna recognize their child as the chosen one of God? What did Simeon mean when he warned Mary of the sword that would pierce her heart? What sorrows, wounds would she know?
So many puzzling encounters, puzzling words, distressing pieces to try to put together. The journey home may have put some pieces together, given some hint of the future. Over the next few years, their son grew in strength and wisdom. It was clear the love of God filled him. What a relief that must have been for Joseph. The pieces all fit together in a good way. The picture seemingly clearly seen.
But they knew better. What about those contradictions and swords and sorrows? They knew those pieces waited to be fit into the whole. They knew. As they fit their own pieces into the puzzle, they probably knew this puzzle of their puzzling son would never be finished.
Action
Work a jigsaw puzzle or a cross word puzzle. Play mahjong. Play Scrabble. Try Wordle or Thread. Name a person or situation in your life puzzling you right now. Why do all or any of these suggestions? Maybe to wonder — is the point of puzzles to solve them or just keep working at them — or both?
Sr. Denise – I am puzzled by the he action(s) you have suggested! I will sit quietly and pray the Holy Spirit will come to me…
Puzzle pieces are about making connections, aren’t they?
How true! Thanks for the insight!
It certainly must have been puzzling for Mary and Joseph. It is easy to imagine their discussion with one another as they headed home, a discussion they no doubt had many times. So perhaps puzzles are to work at, maybe even solve, until the next puzzle comes along. Thank you, Denise for this reflection.