February 2nd, 2020. PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE CYCLE A. Lk 2, 22-40
This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Candlemas). Mary and Joseph take him to present him and consecrate him to the Lord. In the temple, two elders awaiting the arrival of the promised Messiah, Simeon and Anna, recognize in the Child the Saviour, the Light that God wants to reveal to the nations. And their hopes are fulfilled. For their part, Joseph and Mary fulfill the stipulations of the Law of Moses by offering Jesus to God.
Many families take their children to church, and present them on the day of their baptism, or at some other time afterwards. The parents and godparents commit themselves to a religious education for these children. A large number of these people forget about the commitment. Many children do not return until they have to make their Communion. And of those who do return, not many confirm their faith.
What role are parents and sponsors playing? They will only pass on to their children what they are experiencing. If there is no clear Christian experience in the family, they can offer little to their children or godchildren.
Today I will pray to the Holy Family for all Christian families, that they may know how to live and educate their children in the values of the Gospel.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
