Psalm Reflection: The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord - Cycle C

“Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!” - Psalms 24

If you listen to our Bible Study podcast or attend in person, you will recall me talking about the star the Magi followed on the Feast of Epiphany.

Many scholars believe that the magi were Persian astrologers, coming from the region of Mesopotamia, which is where the Zodiac signs were invented several hundred years before Christ.

At the time of Christ’s birth, the Persians were under foreign rule and were hoping for a change. They were looking to the stars for an omen or what was to come, whether good or bad, so they could be ready. The stars behave the same every year because of the earth's rotation, meteors happen too quickly, and comets were usually considered to be bad omens. However, the planets visible to the naked eye—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—behave differently and can appear to go in different directions depending on their position relative to Earth’s orbit around the Sun. 

On June 17th, in the year 2 B.C., Jupiter and Venus converged near Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo, and passed back and forth through the chest of Leo. The convergence of these signs was a very rare occurrence. Jupiter was called “the king of the planets” and its behavior signified to the Persian magi that their king would fall, and a new king would rise up in the region that included Israel. The only king in power at the time in that region was Herod, so the magi took the several month-long journey to figure out what was going on.

They were willing to travel roughly 1300 miles to let their old way of life die in pursuit of peace and reconciliation. They were looking for a newborn king to bring hope and freedom. The magi provide several powerful lessons for us.

Are we looking for signs of God’s movement in our daily life? 

When we see God move or hear Him speak, are we quick to respond with obedience?

What kings rule over your heart and your life that need to die?

Who or what sits on the throne of your heart? 

Does the throne need to be cleared to make way for Jesus?

When Jesus began his public ministry, he announced a new kingdom was at hand:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” - Matthew 4:17

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” - Mark 1:15

The word that Jesus uses for “kingdom” is the Greek word basileia (βασιλεία), which can also mean “reign.” When Jesus is born, magi turn from their earthly kings and bow in worship to him in hopes for a new kingdom with new leadership. When Jesus begins his public ministry, he invites the crowds to be part of this new kingdom. 

As we hear the Responsorial Psalm proclaimed this Sunday, he makes the same invitation to us. He asks us, “Who is this king of glory?” Who is ruling your heart and your life? What are you looking for? What will satisfy the longing in your heart?

We are invited to respond, “It is the Lord!” However, our response must be more than mere words. We must be willing to bring all we have to the Lord, and let the things we enthrone in our lives die. This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple, but He is also being presented to each one of us as the object of our worship.

We may not be practicing bowing down to golden idols like the pagan tribes of the Old Testament, but we worship the idols of status, money, power, fame, relationships, pleasure, glamour and luxury. We build altars to them in our hearts by the time and energy we invest in pursuit of them, and the false beliefs that they will make us happy and fulfill us. Our idolatry becomes a never-ending cycle of effort and dissatisfaction. We always want more, no amount of any of it is ever enough, because only God belongs on the altar of our heart.

“The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for.” - CCC 27

This week, look for the signs of what God is trying to do in your life and follow them. That may require letting certain habits, goals and aspirations die, so that the true path toward fulfillment and happiness can be revealed. Allow the Lord to illuminate the path forward, and he will lead you to a life where he reigns in hope, freedom, glory, and peace.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, February 2nd, 2025, The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord - Cycle C: Psalms 24:7, 8, 9, 10.