Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Lectionary: 524

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 


Twice in this brief passage we hear that Joseph and Mary acted according to the law of Moses and of the Lord. We are reminded of Saint Paul's teaching that God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. (Galatians 4:4-5) In fact, the gospels remind us often of Jesus compliance to human laws, both civil and religious. 

Americans have a rich tradition of skepticism about law. There have been more than a few secessionist movements, inspired and led by Christians who wanted to carry some states or to establish new states beyond the Constitution of the United States. The Civil War was the greatest of these movements but the Mormons also intended to set up their own nation in the Utah desert by the Great Salt Lake. There is nothing in the Constitution that says a state cannot secede from the Union. 

When I was in college during the Vietnam War I heard much talk about civil disobedience and revolution. The sentiment was, if we can't change the law we should overturn it. Even before that, during the days of Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad, there was talk of a separate nation for African-Americans, though where this fabled state might be remained unclear. More recently we hear that some Texans would refound their sovereign nation. 

As honorable as that tradition might be, it finds little support in the New Testament. Neither the scriptures nor Catholic tradition supports the idea that any human state will ever resemble the Kingdom of God. On the contrary, Christians are sent to live among the nations as a witness to what the Kingdom of God might look like. Our policy, as opposed to that of most nations, is stated in Psalm 37: 

The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD, their refuge in a time of distress.

Even as we live under the laws of the United States, and enjoy the freedom to challenge unjust laws and repair broken ones, we remember that our liberty is rooted in faith. Our refuge in time of distress is neither the military nor the police but the truth that sets you free. 

Searching for Jesus, we look among the poor and lowly who are protected by the guiding hand of God. They are, to all appearances, defenseless before the predation of humans -- their laws, their institutions and their crimes. Finding him, we realize our own vulnerability and our freedom.