Presentation of the Lord – World Day of Consecrated Life
Luke 2:22-40
God has consecrated us and set us apart

The Gospel of Luke recounts the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, where Mary and Joseph fulfil the Law of Moses by offering their son to God. This feast reminds us of three key lessons for our faith and families today.

First, the Holy Family’s obedience to the Law of the Lord highlights their harmony with God’s Word. Amid poverty and challenges, they lived in tune with divine will. Their example calls us to centre our families on God, trusting His Word to guide us through life’s trials.

Second, the presentation teaches us that children are not possessions but gifts entrusted to us by God. Mary and Joseph, despite their hopes for Jesus, surrendered Him to God’s greater plan. Parents today are invited to dedicate their children to God, nurturing them to fulfil God’s plans and purposes for them.

Third, the simplicity of the Holy Family’s offering—a pair of pigeons—shows that Jesus was born among the poor. This humbling reality invites us to draw close to Christ, who identifies with our struggles.

Simeon and Anna, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognise the infant Jesus as the Messiah. Their lives of faith and patient waiting embody hope and trust in God’s promises. Simeon’s song, a prayer of peaceful surrender, reminds us that a life lived for God brings true fulfilment. Anna’s unwavering worship for eight decades represents the faithful remnant who awaits the coming of God’s intervention with joy.

Mary and Joseph’s joy in fulfilling the Law reflects a deep and loving relationship with God, while Simeon and Anna’s openness to the Holy Spirit reveals the vitality of a life rooted in faith. This encounter also mirrors consecrated life: a meeting with Christ that transforms us. Through the Church and the charisms of our religious communities, we encounter Christ, recognise Him, and embrace His mission. May the Holy Spirit guide us to joyfully live our vocation, fostering unity and openness to the voice of God, as we continue our journey together.

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025