Here we are at the Feast of the Presentation, in which Mary and Joseph take their son and present him in the temple. Like most things that happen in the life of their family, this event is special, even though it seems they expect it to be ordinary. As they present their son, not one, but two, prophets show up and prophesy over him. If there’s any doubt in our minds about who this child is, these two prophets confirm his identity and his role in the salvation of humanity. When all this happens, Mary and Joseph are amazed. Are you amazed too?

Assuming we remember all that we have heard throughout Advent and Christmas, which I do, I am not amazed at all. I mean, if we take the events surrounding the conception and birth of Jesus as factual events, which I know many people don’t, but if we do, how is what these prophets say amazing? After the Angels, the one who speaks to Mary at her conception and the ones flying and singing at the birth of Jesus, and the shepherds and the magi, how is this event amazing? Honestly, I’m amazed at their amazement.

On the other hand, maybe their amazement is normal. For one thing, most parents are amazed at their children, especially their first one (speaking as an oldest child myself). But not just that. All the events surrounding the conception and birth of Jesus, whether they happened exactly as described in Scripture or not, were profound spiritual experiences. They were manifestations of the movement of the Holy One in the lives of people. These were encounters with God, not magical events, and experiences with the Holy One are amazing. Until they fade.

As amazing as spiritual experiences can be, our thoughts, feelings, and sensations surrounding them are short-lived. At least, that’s what happens for me. I have experienced the presence of God in my life. I hope you have too. The sky didn’t fill with singing angels, and the Earth didn’t move, thank goodness, but I’ve had times when I felt the stirring of the Spirit within me and been deeply moved by the profound love and presence of God. It’s a gift when this happens, but it doesn’t linger.

I’m thinking of one of the first times this ever happened. I was in college on a retreat with a bunch of other students from all over the place. It was hosted by an evangelical group and so our prayer was a little different than what I was used to. I went off by myself with a Bible and a heart full of questions and doubts, and then suddenly I felt a presence with me that was so filled with love and peace that my doubts dissipated. Although my questions remained, I knew that everything would be okay. I also think of when I made my vows in my community, and I was so full of joy that I felt like I might levitate right out of that church. I didn’t, but my heart was full, and I was grateful for the presence of God and all the people there. I think of this past Advent when I had the opportunity to be with some of our sisters on retreat, and the presence of God was so clear to me. None of these encounters were miraculous exactly, but they did amaze me at the time. And even though the feeling of amazement has faded, every time I remember these encounters, I experience God’s presence again.

The human capacity to receive God is one of our greatest gifts. I believe it’s something God has given us because God wants to be close to us. God wants to be in relationship with us, but God is infinite and profound and so we can only receive little snatches of God at a time. And then somehow the intensity of the experience fades, and we go on about our lives. We go up to the mountaintop and perceive the glory of God, but somehow we come down again. How can this be?

I’m not sure, but maybe we just can’t sustain that level of emotion. Or, rather, the experience remains even when our emotions about it recede. I can’t stay ecstatic for long. It’s too much. And sometimes what I experience is not ecstasy, but rather a subtle peace, and that’s just as much an encounter with God as ecstasy is. I remember doing retreats with high school and college students who often do experience God in deeply emotional ways, but their experience of God is not limited to that. It’s the same for us – we can experience God even if we don’t have an emotional reaction. It’s still a good retreat even if we don’t cry, although crying is okay too. Emotions are fleeting and ever-changing, but God’s presence is steadfast. And even when emotions fade, it doesn’t take away from the reality of the encounter we had with God.

So, back to Mary and Joseph and their child held in the arms of prophets. Earlier, right after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph return to some semblance of a normal life, as normal as it can be with an infant. They probably don’t sleep a lot. They likely have insecurities and questions, and like all first-time parents, they’re doing the best they can. And they are amazed by their son — not just because he’s God’s son too, but because he’s their child. And when they hear this prophecy, they are amazed because once again, God has entered into their lives and made God’s self known to them. After this encounter, they go home and continue being parents. Hopefully they remain open to encounters with God. They do the best they can, and their child grows in wisdom. And they do too.

God is with us at all times, in every season, and at every moment. We do the best we can to be open to the movement of the Spirit, to be open to the working of the Holy One in our lives. Over time we can get better at recognizing God‘s presence and receiving it. Sometimes it is a miraculous and profound encounter, but sometimes it’s not fantastical. It’s ordinary, normal. And every time we have an encounter, no matter what it’s like, we get more accustomed to what it feels like when God shows up. Honestly, I think that’s what growth in the spiritual life looks like — being more and more open to God and recognizing God and allowing God to work in our lives, until every moment every day is surrounded by holiness. The light might be subtle or it might be bright, but it’s always there.

Like Simeon and Anna, may we recognize the presence of holiness when we see it. Like Mary and Joseph, may we allow ourselves to be amazed by God, in whatever ways God enters our lives. Our eyes, too, have seen the salvation of God. May we open ourselves to God and always bless each other.

For Reflection

• When you think back to encounters you’ve had with God, whether they’ve been dramatic or not, what is God like in those moments? How do you feel when you have an experience of God? How do you respond to God?

• When you think back to moving spiritual experiences, what happens in you when you remember these experiences?

• What about you’re spirituality in the ordinary day to day of life? How do experience God? How do you know God is with you in the everyday moments?

• Maybe you could just take a little time with God and see what God has to say to you.

By Sister Leslie Keener, CDP

Sister Leslie Keener, CDP is the director of God Space, a community-building spirituality ministry in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. She’s a Sister of Divine Providence with a Masters in Ministry and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Retreats from Creighton University. She directs retreats, meets with people for spiritual direction, and serves as the vocation director for her community. She enjoys music, dancing, and spicy food.

God Space is a ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence of Kentucky. Do you want to learn more about the Sisters of Divine Providence? Check out our website here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.CDPKentucky.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.