I.Theme – The Temple as the place of God’s revelation

“Presentation of Jesus in the Temple” (detail) – Rembrandt (1631)
The lectionary readings are here or individually:
1. Old Testament – Malachi 3:1-4
2. Psalm- Psalm 84 OR Psalm 24:7-10
3. Epistle – Hebrews 2:14-18
4. Gospel – Luke 2:22-40
The readings focus on the Temple as the place of God’s revelation. When Jesus is brought to the Temple, he becomes the living revelation of God.
Luke 2:22-40. Luke shows Mary and Joseph observing the requirements of the Torah by presenting their firstborn to the Lord and then ransoming him back. Within this scene, Luke paints a meeting between Jesus and two representatives of Israel: Simeon, who is “righteous and devout,” and Anna, a “prophetess.” (Luke frequently presents women in leadership positions where his audience would normally expect a man.)
Malachi 3:1-4. In Jewish thought, the Temple was God’s footstool on earth, the point at which the divine touched creation. In apocalyptic thought, it was the place where the final judgment would take place. That is Malachi’s vision: God will appear seated in the Temple, “refining and purifying,” so that the people might offer pure sacrifice.
Psalm 24. This song was sung by pilgrims as they reached the Temple. Standing outside, they called on the gates to lift up. From inside the Temple, voices sang back a question of faith: “Who is the king of glory?” The answer, given in faith, allowed access to the Temple.
Hebrews 2:14-18. An excerpt from an extended reflection on why Jesus had to be human—he had to be one of the “children” in need of redemption that he might “expiate the sins of the people.”