the longing to belong
"The couple brought Him up to Jerusalem so that He could be presented to the Lord." —Luke 2:22
We all want to "belong" and to know where we "belong." When we were children, we were told: "You don't belong here." Teenagers are so desperate to "belong" that they will even belong to a gang.
On this feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Jesus reveals to us that He belongs to the Father, and the Father to Him. He also reveals that all who have been baptized into Him belong to God the Father. The Father has adopted us as His sons and daughters. We are not orphans (Jn 14:18); we belong to Abba. We are so loved, secure, and free that we are not afraid even of death (see Heb 2:14-15; Lk 2:29). We know not only where we belong but to Whom we belong.
On this feast of the Presentation of the Lord, let us joyfully accept that we "are not our own" (see 1 Cor 6:19), we belong to Abba. Let us renew our Baptisms and present ourselves to God our Father. We belong to Him (Rm 14:8). Thank You, Abba!
Prayer: Abba, into Your hand I commend my spirit (Lk 23:46, our transl). On this world day of prayer for religious communities, may all religious be a sign of belonging to You.
Promise: "Yes, He is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who will endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like the refiner's fire." —Mal 3:1-2
Praise: Praise Jesus, "a revealing Light to the Gentiles, the Glory of your people Israel!" (Lk 2:32)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, August 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 18, 2000