“Meeting the Light Who Comes to Meet Us”
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
дорогі брати і сестри у Христі,
Today we celebrate the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, a feast that in our Eastern tradition we also call The Encounter — Стрітення.
And this name already tells us something essential:
this feast is not first about what humanity does for God, but about what God does for humanity.
Сьогодні Бог виходить нам назустріч.
Сьогодні в храм входить не просто дитина, а Сам Господь, Який дозволяє, щоб Його прийняли, взяли на руки, впізнали — або не впізнали.
Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple according to the Law.
They do not come with wealth or public attention.
They come quietly, obediently, humbly.
And the Gospel tells us something very revealing:
they offer two small birds — the sacrifice of the poor.
Творець неба і землі входить до Свого храму без слави,
без сили,
без вимог.
The Lawgiver submits Himself to the Law.
The Holy One is carried like every other child.
Already here we learn something about God:
He does not save us by force — He saves us by humility.
In the Temple we meet Simeon — righteous, devout, and waiting.
Not waiting with bitterness.
Not waiting with impatience.
But waiting with the Holy Spirit.
Симеон чекав усе життя,
і не втратив надії,
бо його очікування було наповнене молитвою.
When the moment finally comes, Simeon recognizes Christ immediately.
He does not hesitate.
He does not doubt.
He takes the Child into his arms and says:
“Now, O Master, You dismiss Your servant in peace.”
Why peace?
Because his eyes have seen the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Simeon calls Jesus:
“A light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for Your people Israel.”
Light does not only comfort —
it reveals.
Тому Симеон одразу говорить Марії про меч,
який прошиє її душу.
Christ’s light will reveal hearts.
It will bring salvation — but also decision.
Some will rise.
Some will fall.
The Light of Christ never leaves us unchanged.
Then we meet Anna — a woman shaped by years of prayer, fasting, and quiet faithfulness.
She does not leave the Temple.
She does not stop hoping.
І коли вона бачить Христа,
вона не може мовчати.
She speaks to all who are waiting for redemption.
This is always the fruit of a true encounter with Christ:
those who meet Him become witnesses,
even if their voices are gentle.
The Letter to the Hebrews helps us understand what is happening beneath the surface.
Jesus is not a priest according to lineage or law,
but:
“through the power of an indestructible life.”
Храм приймає Христа —
але насправді Христос освячує храм.
He is the true Priest.
He is the true Offering.
He is the fulfillment of everything the Temple was waiting for.
Today we bless and replace our candles.
This is not a custom without meaning.
A candle shines only by giving itself away.
Свічка нагадує нам,
що Христос є Світлом,
але ми покликані нести це Світло далі.
Into our homes.
Into our fears.
Into times of uncertainty, suffering, and war.
Like Mary carried Christ into the Temple,
we are sent to carry Christ into the world.
Conclusion: The Question of the Feast
Dear brothers and sisters,
the heart of today’s feast is simple:
Will we recognize Christ when He comes quietly?
Will we receive Him, or pass Him by?
May this feast teach us to wait faithfully like Simeon,
to pray persistently like Anna,
and to carry the Light courageously.
І разом зі Симеоном нехай одного дня ми зможемо сказати з миром:
“Мої очі бачили Твоє спасіння.”
Амінь.
