The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple & Scout Sunday - February 2, 2025

Summary

Mother Suzanne delivered a sermon connecting the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple with Scout Sunday at Grace Episcopal Church, welcoming BSA Troop 400 and Cub Scout Pack 400. She drew parallels between Jesus' presentation according to Jewish law and the scouts' presentation to their chartering organization, emphasizing how scouting builds character, teaches valuable life skills, and helps young people grow "strong, filled with wisdom" as Jesus did (Luke 2:40).

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                                          Luke 2:22-40         

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
 according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,
 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles
 and for glory to your people Israel."

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Artwork: No. 19 Scenes from the Life of Christ: 3. Presentation of Christ at the Temple - Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, by Giotto di Bondone (c. 1267– January 8, 1337)

Transcript

Mother Suzanne:

For the Lord, God is both son and shield. He will give grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who walk with integrity. In the name of the Triune God, father, son and Holy Ghost. Amen. Please be seated. Well, today in the life of the church is what I affectionately call a twofer. Not only is it the day of Jesus's presentation in the temple, it's also Scout Sunday at Grace. And in many ways, as I've reflected on the passages of scripture this week, I think the pairing of these two days is really quite lovely and fitting. So we as the members of Grace welcome the Scouts, Cub Scouts, scout leaders of BSA Troop 400 and Cub Scout Pack 400, all those who give of time, energy, discernment. Every single person who is gathered. And most of all our scouts dress so sharp in their class A uniforms. We welcome you to Grace on this scout anniversary day, which happens once a year and which is celebrated every year at Grace Scouts. You will be presented to your church, your chartering organization for the contributions you and your leaders have made to scouting and to the betterment of grace and the city of Alvin. We are so fortunate at Grace to have a robust and lively scout troop that does and does and does. Thank you.

Scout anniversary day falls roughly 40 days after Christmas, which is also the day which the church commemorates the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary in the Jerusalem temple, which happened 40 days after the birth of Jesus. And just like you scouts and how you are fulfilling part of your scout law to be reverent, Jesus's parents presented Jesus in accordance with the requirements of the Jewish law. Kind of like you all upholding the scout law. I be stretching things a bit, but I do want you all to know scouts. Jesus too had his moment of presentation. He was a lot smaller than you all, but there was a moment just like you all are here today where he too was presented.

And for the record, I do believe that these kinds of moments are really important to be set apart and recognized for choosing the harder way. And I believe scouts is the harder way to orient your life according to principles, honor and doing your best. It's so worth it and potentially life changing. I've seen it in my three boys and that's why I want you to know scouts this morning that I am super proud of you and Grace is super proud of you too. And this pride, I will say, comes from a mama's heart. I was a den mother for nearly 10 years with my boys, two of which are now Boy scouts. One getting dangerously close to becoming an Eagle scout. And my little guy is still a cub scout, all hoping to one day be Eagle Scouts. Show of hands, who wants to be an Eagle Scout in here? Excellent. Love that. I know the amount of time and dedication that you all put in your growth as scouts.

And here's what I've seen with my boys and with the scouts here at Grace. You learn life skills, skills that in some ways seem like a dying art, like setting up a tent. Some may think that's pretty basic, but I would guarantee most kids probably don't know how to set up a tent. I know these guys do how to use a knife safely. Fire and fire safety, right, and survival skills, all of which deepen your independence, your inner strength, and most of all your confidence. As young men and women, there aren't many places you can learn these skills anymore, let alone have a place where survival and life skills are encouraged and lived out, and camp outs a camp and at your meetings.

So you may have noticed that today's procession not only had flags, but each of our scouts was carrying a candle. Today's feast day includes the lighting and blessing of candles. So it's affectionately known as a candlemass. And I thought it appropriate that our scouts be the bearers of the light. The lighting of candles is not only an homage to Jesus at his presentation in the temple, and it's also a reminder of the importance of fire and how not only is it a source of warmth, but also I think more importantly gives sight and darkness, which if lost scouts, you know how important fire and light is, it's paramount in finding a way out and surviving.

So one of the most especially fitting verses of our gospel passage this morning came at the end, at least for me, the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom and the favor of God was upon this child. This was said after everything had been accomplished, all the Jewish law had been fulfilled. I think this last sentence is especially fitting for you as well, Scouts, just like Jesus, once you have finished all that is required of you for scouting, that you will be strong and you will be wise, and that God's favor would rest mightily upon you. And that this grace Episcopal church would always be a sacred space for you because it's here that you learned that God's favor rests mightily upon you.

Scouting teaches humility, graciousness, and gratitude, which I believe are the foundations to wisdom. And so scouts, may you be challenged in unexpected and surprising ways. Maybe that'll happen at camp this summer. Kai Kima, is that where we're going this summer? Not this summer. Where are we going, Kevin? You don't know. Okay, well, they will be going to camp. I promise you that. I also hope this morning that your presentation at Grace in every scout Sunday spent at your home church, may it strengthen and uphold you as you grow in wisdom and understanding, and that you learn what it means to be reverent and this sacred and holy space knowing that we are small, but we worship a God who is mighty. So let this be our prayer. Would you bow your heads with me? Oh God bless the work of scouting in this place and around the world, that through its efforts, the young may like our Lord increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with you and all people. Amen.