The scene we encounter in today’s gospel is very much like the scene in our church on Baptism Sunday. Parents, out of their own faith, bring their babies before God promising that these children will grow in wisdom and in understanding the ways of God in their lives. God parents are the representatives of the community and sponsor these children into the faith. It is a happy and joyful occasion for all involved.

In today’s feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, Mary and Joseph bring their child to the temple, consecrating him to God and out of their faith promising to raise him in that faith.

Coincidentally, or not, we meet two very interesting temple dwellers who in a sense act like godparents: Simeon and Anna. They represent the ancient traditions of Judaism into which the child is being consecrated. What is unique about them is that they both waited many years for this moment. They each had been anticipating the coming of the messiah, and they each recognized Him as the long awaited savior.

We can only imagine the depth of faith that sustained them through the years and gave them the patience they needed. But it wasn’t until the time was completed that the savior was born and shown to them.

Faith in our own time means that we too have to wait for God’s time to be complete. And God’s time is very different than our own. The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is time for everything under the heavens…..but we don’t know that time in advance.

Perhaps we can take a moment to rededicate ourselves to God as we were at our Baptisms and ask for the faith and patience to await His revelation in our live.