Daily Gospel Reflection for February 2, 2026: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

When my children were little, they often asked me for things. When I’d say yes or maybe, their little voices would pop up saying, “Promise?” My answer was always, “I’ll do my best, but I won’t make a promise unless I know I can actually deliver on it.” In this way, they came to understand that sometimes it is not within our control to deliver on our best intentions. They also learned they could trust me whenever I made them a promise.

 

In today’s Gospel of the Presentation of the Lord, we meet two people who waited many years for God to fulfill His promise. Simeon is a righteous and devout man filled with the Spirit. He trusted the Holy Spirit’s revelation that he would not die before seeing the Christ. When Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple, Simeon immediately recognizes the fulfillment of this promise! Can you imagine Simeon’s sense of joy as he takes the child into his arms and blesses God? Nearby, Anna, an elderly widow living in the temple and worshipping day and night, also recognizes the Christ and blesses God, although her words about Jesus are left unrecorded.

 

Just like Simeon and Anna, we’re also waiting on God to fulfill His promises for us. This often involves patience, faith, and hope, even when things seem uncertain. Simeon and Anna are examples of trusting that God will bring about what He’s revealed. Even though they waited many years before God provided, each day offered an opportunity for them to remain hopeful. To think maybe it’s today! People sometimes make promises they can’t keep, but we find comfort and strength in knowing that God is faithful and keeps His promises.