Tuesday 2 February

The presentation of the lord (F)

Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

The infant God

In Simeon’s song of praise and Anna’s speech we recognise who this baby is, not yet a month old, but the song they sang to him implies a burden. “My eyes have seen your Salvation. The baby is light and glory,” mumbled the old man. But, Anna added, this young baby will bring ‘redemption,’ though you, his mother, will suffer. These are mixed messages for both infant and mother. Mary was probably confused by their words. Nevertheless God promises that the Spirit would be with her and will be with us too.