COME AS YOU ARE

“The power of obedience! The lake of Gennesareth had denied its fishes to Peter’s nets. A whole night in vain. Then, obedient, he lowered his net again to the water and they caught ‘a huge number of fish.’ Believe me: the miracle is repeated each day.”– St. Josemaria Escriva

Gospel text (Lk 2:22-40): When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought the baby up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to God. And they offered a sacrifice as ordered in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

There lived in Jerusalem at this time a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel , and he had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord. So he was led into the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law.

Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God, saying, «Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen your salvation, which you display for all the people to see. Here is the light you will reveal to the nations and the glory of your people Israel ».

His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, «See him; he will be for the rise or fall of the multitudes of Israel . He shall stand as a sign of con­tra­diction, while a sword will pierce your own soul. Then the secret thoughts of many may be brought to light».

There was also a prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. After leaving her father's home, she had been seven years with her husband, and since then she had been continually about the Temple , serving God as a widow night and day in fasting and prayer. She was now eighty-four. Co­ming up at that time, she gave praise to God and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem .

When the parents had fulfilled all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their town, Nazareth in Galilee . There the child grew in stature and strength and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon him.

Today the Church celebrates the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem . In that same spirit, we present ourselves today to the Lord, especially in the Mass. We present ourselves to Jesus, the great High Priest, Who became like us "in every way, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest before God" on our behalf, to expiate our sins (Heb 2:17). "Since [Jesus] Himself was tested through what He suffered, He is able to help those who are tempted" (Heb 2:18).

We have days when things are going so badly that all we can do is come before the Lord Jesus just as we are and tell Him: "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner" (see Lk 18:13). We can always present ourselves to Jesus and tell Him: "Lord, I don't have much to offer You, but what I have I give You" (see Acts 3:6).

Jesus invites you to present yourself before Him, just as you are. He says: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you" (Mt 11:28). Jesus says: "No one who comes [to Me] will I ever reject" (Jn 6:37). Jesus became like you so that you would always know in the depths of your heart that you can "approach God through Him" (Heb 7:25; Eph 2:18). Present yourself to Jesus today, just as you are. Receive His life-giving love.