Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 23 (24):7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40
Picture: By Vadim Artyukhin on Unsplash
My dear friends, why do you think the toilets in a hotel or a mall are often so much cleaner than those in the coffeeshops? Isn’t it tempting to think that the users are the reason? That the patrons of a hotel or a mall are somehow more careful, more hygienic, even more cultured than those of a coffeeshop? I’m ashamed to admit it, but until quite recently, this was my own unspoken assumption. Until I happened to watch an interview given by Mr Jack Sim, the founder of the WTO. Not the World Trade Organisation, but the World Toilet Organisation. According to Mr Sim, the reason why coffeeshop toilets are so much dirtier, is not because their patrons are messier, but because their owners simply refuse to take the steps needed to clean them. To be honest, Mr Sim’s words came as something of a light-bulb moment for me. I found them at once enlightening, humbling and liberating. Enlightening, because they helped me see a fresh and intriguing point of view. Humbling, because they prompt me to entertain the possibility that I’m not that much different from everyone else. That however hygienic or careful or cultured I may think I am, like everybody else, the toilets I use need to be properly and regularly cleaned. To accept this fact is to be liberated from the heavy burdens of hypocrisy and guilt, snobbery and self-righteousness. And even to be freed to focus more on what truly keeps toilets clean…
Strange as it may sound, the feast we are celebrating today offers us a similar revelation. Of course, there is no mention of toilets anywhere in our Mass readings and prayers. Instead, our attention is drawn to a far more sacred place, the Temple in Jerusalem. But, though the Temple and a toilet seem as different as night and day, they do have one thing in common. Like a toilet, the Temple too is a place where cleaning, or purification, is needed. Isn’t this why Jesus, Mary and Joseph present themselves at the Temple in the gospel? They go there to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses. Except that Jesus doesn’t really need cleansing. Instead, he is the One who cleanses us. In him, the promise made in the first reading finds its fulfilment. Through him, God enters the Temple to take his seat as refiner and purifier. And we may recall that what is carried out ritually for the baby Jesus today, the Lord will perform actually, as an adult, many years later. In chapter 19 of Luke’s gospel, Jesus will drive from the Temple all those who are selling things there (v 45, NRSV).
But not everyone is willing to allow themselves to be cleansed. Not everyone is ready to accept their own need for purification. Isn’t this why Simeon recognises Jesus not only as a light to enlighten the pagans, but also as a sign that is rejected? And who are the ones who will reject the Lord? Isn’t it those who take pride in their own efforts to keep themselves clean? Those who think they are more spiritually hygienic, careful, and cultured than everyone else. Who keep a scrupulous distance from, and even look down upon those whom they consider unclean.
In contrast to this essentially elitist approach, the second reading reminds us that the Lord takes the opposite route. Instead of distancing himself, he draws closer to those who need cleansing. Even to the extent of sharing equally in our flesh and blood, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil. Becoming for us a compassionate and trustworthy high priest, able to help us in all our temptations, because he has himself been through temptation. Just as soap makes its cleansing power felt, the closer its contact with whatever is dirty. So too does Jesus draw close to us to purify us of our sin. Isn’t this the beautiful and consoling mystery we joyfully celebrate at this and every Mass?
All of which may help us reflect on our own approach to the spiritual life. Perhaps even offering us the possibility of a fresh light-bulb moment. One that may enlighten, humble, and liberate us anew. Enlightening us with a helpful reminder of how much we all need to remain close to the Lord, or rather, to allow him to draw close to us. Even and especially when, we may be feeling particularly unworthy of him. Humbling us to accept the truth that, however spiritually advanced we may think we are, however clean our spiritual lives may look, without the Lord, we all quickly go astray. Without him, none of us has the ability to remain clean. And doesn’t this truth serve to liberate us? For the more we realise, accept and live out of it, the better we are able to fixate less on ourselves and our own efforts, and to focus more on the Lord. Generously going wherever he may lead us, and doing whatever he may prompt and empower us to do.
Sisters and brothers, no matter whether we may be feeling as clean as a hotel toilet, or as filthy as the one in a coffeeshop, how might we better help one another to allow the Lord to draw ever closer to us today and everyday?
