A Sign of Contradiction: The Darkness of the Cross and the Light of Glory




Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation, traditionally known as Candlemas. On this day in the ancient Church, the faithful processed with lit candles to commemorate the day that the Light of the World, Jesus, was presented in the temple.

In his book Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives, Pope Emeritus Benedict wrote of this event:

“Three events belong to the fortieth day: the “purification” of Mary, the “redemption’ of the first-born child Jesus through an offering prescribed by the law, and the “presentation” of Jesus in the temple… we discover afresh what is meant by “under the law”… Mary does not need to be purified from the birth of Jesus: His birth ushers in the purification of the world. But she obeys the law… she serves the fulfillment of the promises… Luke has nothing to say about the “redemption” prescribed by the law. In its place, we find the exact opposite: the child is handed over to God, and from now on belongs to Him completely… this act is followed… by a scene of prophecy. The old man Simeon and the prophetess Anna, prompted by the Spirit of God, appear in the temple, and… greet the “Lord’s Christ.”

“…Having given praise to God… Simeon turns to Mary with a prophetic saying… Jesus is “set for the falling and rising of many in Israel,” for a sign of contradiction… “a sword will pierce through your own soul.” The theology of glory is inseparably linked with the theology of the Cross. The Suffering Servant has the great mission to bring God’s light to the world. Yet it is in the darkness of the Cross that this mission is fulfilled… What proves Jesus to be the true sign of God is that he takes upon himself the contradiction of God… all the way to the contradiction of the Cross…

“…Christ remains a sign of contradiction… God himself is constantly regarded as a limitation placed on our freedom… God is love. But love can also be hated when it challenges us to transcend ourselves. It is not a romantic “good feeling.” Redemption is not… self-indulgence… it is liberation from imprisonment in self-absorption. This liberation comes at a price: the anguish of the Cross. The prophecy of light and that of the Cross belong together.” 








Comments