Monday, February 2, 2026
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures
Simeon’s song
In the early 1980’s my brother John and his wife Karen asked Margaret and I to be godparents for Matthew Shane, their second baby. We stood beside them at the baptismal font in Lincoln, Illinois’ Trinity Episcopal Church. We promised to pray for their kids, and help them carry the spiritual burden of being parents. It brought us together. I think John and Karen felt less alone in their parental responsibilities. It takes a village.
Lo, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me.
And suddenly there will come into the temple
the Lord whom you seek
and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
What a fine thing, to present our children to the Lord.
John and Karen followed in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary. They had no idea how their children would turn out, and neither did Jesus’ parents. Mary had a clue, sure. Jesus brought out the worship of shepherds and the homage of magi, but we can only imagine how it went for his parents as he grew up. They did not worship him. They did not sing the psalms of praise and worship, no, not yet:
Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!
Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
When their son Jesus was 12, they chided him when he forgot to tell them where he was – forgetting his responsibilities toward the family. I remember when our grandson Jack was 12. He forgot to communicate sometimes; he regularly dwelt in the recesses of his mind, as he still does. His parents are mostly patient with him, except sometimes.
Sounds like Mary and Joseph.
Mary heard Simeon speak daggers into her heart, as he spoke of the future. John and Karen’s kids grew into husbands and wives, parents, successful teachers, farmers, medical helpers. Now their grandchildren are coming into their own. Can we see Jesus growing that way, as a young flesh and blood boy?
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.
O my Father God, Mary cried. What will happen to my son, my son? Lord, how do I prepare myself, and prepare him, for swords?
I imagine God was silent when she prayed, and so she “pondered all these things in her heart.” But perhaps God was not silent. Perhaps her Abba comforted her and touched her brow, perhaps He replaced her anxious fears with his love.
Yes, that is what I imagine that he did. And said something like he says to all of us.
Mary, I love you and I always will. Do not be afraid.
The child grew and became strong,
 filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
And the Lord speaks again, into the hearts of Mary and Joseph, into the hearts of John and Karen … Chris and Melissa … Aki and Andi … David and Margaret.
Bring your children unto me.
What is there to be afraid of?
There is nothing to be afraid of.
Let the little children come.
I love them and I always will.
 (Malachi 3, Psalm 24, Hebrews 2, Luke 2)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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