I always wanted to belong. I rarely ever did though. I was a terribly shy and self-conscious kid, all the way to college. I belonged when I was on the baseball field or football field, but even then I never experienced that deep comradery that comes to some teams. I think that is what we are supposed to feel in our spiritual family and I have had that once or twice.
Today is the celebration of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. It is an interesting story with prophecy, blessings, and amazement all involved. We all know Jesus was special, we get that, so if we are not careful, we read this story and think: “okay, Jesus was special, it was a great day” and little more. We do not find ourselves in the story. All good bible study involves finding ourselves in the story we are reading. It is what makes the stories come alive. It is easy to do when we talk about the Nativity. I am usually the third camel to the right…… Wait for it…..okay a little giggle helps. But seriously, it is an easy story to find ourselves in. So is the crucifixion, though infinitely more painful.
But this story? This Jewish ritual? How in the world can we make much of this little story and ritual, it is all about Jesus after all. NO, it is not and in fact may be the most important story to find ourselves in within the whole New Testament. You see, the words of that story indicate that Jesus was presented to demonstrate that every child is holy to the Eternal. We find ourselves in the story when we realize that we now and always have belonged to the Eternal. It is clear to me that every being on the planet belongs to the Eternal, we are all created in the image of the Eternal. Forget our difference, Jesus sure did, and embrace how we are all God’s Children and this story says it all. From our birth we belong to the Eternal.
What is more, Simeon then takes him in his arms and tells of all of the possibilities in that child. That he will change things, make the world a different and better place. That he will save the world. Whether it is a baptism or dedication, depending on your beliefs and experience in church, the moment is the same: that child (and every person who has been a child) belongs to the Eternal and has within, every possibility of hope and salvation.
Does what I wrote sound far fetched. Scripture says, Christ in you, the hope of glory. At the monastery, we talk often of being reminded of our baptism. In Catholicism, infants are baptized to show this very ceremony, that every child is holy and set apart and belongs to the Eternal. Later, for them and others, Confirmation is that moment when the child becomes responsible for that knowledge of belonging to God. So, how would it be if we lived in a world where every person we encountered was seen as dedicated to the Eternal?
Would we be more patient with folks? Would we stop seeing race, gender, age, disabilities? Would we be ashamed when we treated the “least of His children” poorly? That is where I find myself in the story, dedicated wholly to the Eternal. It was not my choice, it was and is my birthright. It is just who I am. Now, if I can just live it out.
TMM