Consecration

It was according to the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, and for them to be purified. Even the priest at the altar did not recognise for whom he was performing those purifying rituals. On the other side we see Simeon and Anna taking the child in their hands and praising God. Simeon’s words show the contentment of what he longed to see. He saw in the child, the light to guide those who are far and the glory for those who have known the path of peace.

Simeon had seen innumerous offerings and sacrifices offered at the temple. But, taking the child in his hands, Simeon said, ‘My eyes have seen the salvation,’, ready to depart in peace. Simeon waited patiently to see the prompting of the Spirit to be fulfilled. He learned that the sacrifice ensuring salvation was seeking and doing the will of God. That would surely include a piercing of heart for anyone who sincerely follows the will of God.

Jesus came to do the will of God. He knew what would please God. He offered life to the world, freedom to the oppressed, and good news to the poor. He had to become the lamb of God, the life giving sacrifice. He was indeed the temple in whom all gather to worship. He is the home to which all return. Only by being in him together as one body, we as a community can offer worship to God. He is the temple. We are the temple in whom the Spirit dwells and the light of God must shine.

Our consecration to the Lord is a sincere dedication to do the will of God. We can know the will of God only if we have the mind of Christ in approaching God and others. Our consecration does not make us different categories of people. We have different ways of life of consecration deepening our baptismal consecration fructified in diverse forms. If our life revolves around cultic, customary, religious performances, we are failing in our consecration to the Lord. They are attempts to purify God. God is not glorified in the rituals performed, God is glorified and we are sanctified in a righteous way of living. Every moment is consecrated to the Lord by deepest sincerity and love in our life, even in the simplest things we do. Consecration begins in our attitude ‘Behold, Lord, I have come to do your will.’ The end of our consecration, the purpose can be either in the words, 'the almighty has done great things for me,’ or ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation,’ or ‘Into your hands Lord, I commend my spirit.’