Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Homily

Young people tend to spend time trying to plan their lives. As an adolescent, I remember spending hours contemplating my future. I established timelines and benchmarks for when I hoped to accomplish the expectations I had for my life. It didn't take long for me to learn life doesn't usually follow our plans. Unexpected events disrupt them and send us off in unanticipated directions. The course we set for ourselves very rarely is the one we end up following. Sometimes, these changes in course direction are welcome. They help us learn about ourselves and see that a different course in life is better than the one we planned. Other times, unexpected events are unwelcome. They lead to great disappointments that disrupt life and can even leave us bitter and disappointed.

We often wonder why some people rise to the occasion when faced with unexpected events while others falter. Two people can encounter similar life circumstances; one is resilient and uses the event to grow and flourish, and the other falls apart. They are thrown for a loop and begin a downward spiral that ruins their lives. 

Unexpected events and circumstances can influence our relationship with God. Some people will use a tragedy or setback in life to grow nearer to God. They embrace God more closely, while others become embittered and doubtful of God's goodness. God wants to use life's unexpected events to help us understand God better. Unexpected situations allow God to reach out to us because when upsetting things happen, God gets our attention. Even unreligious people tend to call to God when feeling distress. 

Over the last few weeks, we have been preaching a series of homilies called "Unexpected." We have been reflecting on how various Biblical characters have reacted when placed in unexpected situations. We first reflected on how a support group of people to turn to in an emergency is very useful. Many people lack that, and sociologists and psychologists have warned us it damages our society. 

Our parish community is here to provide that support mechanism, so become active here at Holy Redeemer. Go beyond just showing up to church with the outlook that you must fulfill an obligation. Enter into the fullness of parish life.

Participating in a small faith-sharing group is an excellent way to strengthen your sense of community. Less than a year ago, we began forming small groups here at Holy Redeemer. About seventy parishioners participate in them. Our objective is to make our church not only a church with small groups but a church of small groups. We feel your participation in a small group is key to growing your relationship with God and each other. 

On Saturday, February 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., we will celebrate the first anniversary of our small group experience. Last year's facilitator, Allison Gingras, will return, and Teresa Lim will lead us in some inspirational music. Lunch will be served. There is no charge for the event. Over seventy parishioners have already signed up. We have space for ninety in the parish center, so register today. Forms are at the end of your pew. Fill one out and drop it in the box at the Welcome Desks at the church doors. 

Many biblical characters used unexpected events to grow in their faith. They took a challenging situation and reflected on it to understand how God was calling them to love God more deeply. Rather than being distressed by life events, if we contemplate how to use them to better our lives, we can grow closer to God.

People of faith remember that God is good even when life isn't. They remember that God is always on our side and wants the best for us. God is always ready with the gifts of grace to help us overcome hardships and turn around our disappointments.

People who use life's unexpected tragedies for good use their loss and pain to help others. So often, we hear about people suffering from a disaster who turn around and help others they feel are suffering more than themselves. Reports from the California communities ravaged by the recent wildfires include many such examples. 

Many of life's unexpected events can be traced to our faults and failures. We allowed a small sin to lead to greater and greater acts of sinfulness. Soon, we found ourselves in situations we had never anticipated. Resilient people accept that reality and turn to a loving and merciful God for forgiveness. They cast themselves on a compassionate God seeking reconciliation. They know they can depend on God's grace and mercy to return them to the fullness of life.

People who can deal with adversity have used normal times to grow in faith. Every day, they set aside prayer time to reflect on their actions and to listen to God's promptings in their souls. Consistently communicating with God builds a strong relationship that gives them the courage to confront adversity. 

Today, I will join you in considering those situations when unexpected responsibilities come our way. Life is rolling along when circumstances suddenly call us to push the limits of what we feel comfortable doing. Situations develop that call us to do things we never anticipated having to do. Today, many grandparents are raising their grandchildren. They believed their child-raising days were over, but suddenly, they needed to parent a new generation. 

This week, a parishioner involved in ministry here at Holy Redeemer told me she wouldn't be as available as she would like because a young grandson has been diagnosed with autism. Unexpectedly, she must be available to help his parents with his care. 

Sometimes, that unexpected responsibility means being called to speak the truth to power. God calls us to step into a leadership role unexpectedly. We would rather not, but we see an injustice and must call out against it. I believe all of us will be called to do that soon. 

That was the role of the Biblical Prophet, but so many of them resisted it when first called by God. Jeremiah claimed to be too young when God instructed him to take up the call to prophecy. God told Jeremiah he wasn't too young, and God had planned to make him a prophet even before his birth. The prophet Amos was not a learned person. He was a shepherd and dresser of sycamores. He was doing common farm labor and felt utterly unfit for the call to be a messenger of God. Jonah was infuriated with God when God instructed him to preach repentance to the Ninivites. Jonah hated the Ninivites and only wished suffering upon them. He tried to flee from God's call, and even when God forced him to be a prophet to Ninevah, he hoped he would be unsuccessful as their prophet. 

Malachi, the author of our first reading, was also reluctant to be a prophet. Some scholars propose he may have been so unwilling to take on unexpected responsibilities that he wrote his prophecies anonymously or used Malachi as a pen name to escape reprisals from those to whom he aimed his words. 

Mary and Joseph found themselves having unexpected responsibilities thrust on them, too. In today's gospel, they are in the Jerusalem Temple, intending, like all new parents of a firstborn son, to be faithful to the Law of Moses by offering the sacrifice required to redeem him. 

Suddenly, the holy man Simeone happens upon them. We heard:

"The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;

and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted

(and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Joseph and Mary must have realized again just how special a baby Jesus was and the kind of man he would grow to be when the prophetess, Anna, also came and 

"...spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem."

Luke tells us Jesus' parents accepted their unexpected responsibilities: 

"When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, 

they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

The child grew and became strong, 

filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him."

We will be called to carry out a challenging mission sometime in our lives. God will give us a difficult message to bring to our corner of the world. It will be a unique communication only you will be able to share. When God speaks, don't claim youth, lack of skills, or partisanship as your excuse to turn God down. If you refuse God, it will be left undone.

God has a special mission for you and only you. We must respond to that mission by embracing our unexpected circumstances and carrying out God's will. We will reveal God's power, protection, and glory when we do.