Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – Malachi 3:1-4; Ps 23:7-10; Luke 2:22-40
The Lord God says, “Look, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his Temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight” That’s what the prophet Malachi tells us.
First, the messenger comes to prepare the way. Then the Lord appears – quietly and without warning. No grand announcement. He shows up as a child, born in a humble stable to poor parents. It’s so easy to miss him – or even ignore him – if we’re not ready. We need to be on the lookout. We need to listen to the Spirit nudging us.
God doesn’t change the way he works. He still sends someone to prepare the path, then he shows up himself, completely unexpected. Maybe we’ll be too wrapped up in our usual routines to notice him. Maybe we won’t be ready at all.
Let’s hope – and pray – that we’ll be able to recognise him when he does come.
