Acceptance is a very important need in every one’s life.
It is proved by the modern social and psychological studies as well.
It has got various applications in our daily life. Some of them are Self acceptance, Social acceptance, conditional acceptance…
With out proper acceptance no healthy relations are possible.
Some practical examples are found in our life:
- Acceptance between Parents and Children are necessary in a family.
- Acceptance between parents is needed for a proper partnership.
- Acceptance from a teacher is good for a student. In return students have to pay attention and respect to the teachers.
- The same is applicable in politics and governance.
It is also very important in our religious practices and in spiritual life.
We believe that Jesus is God and he has a Divine Nature.
Some times forget the human nature of Jesus too.
But today’s Gospel asserts the human nature of Jesus.
He was in his Hometown in Nazareth practicing his proclamation and teaching people.
But he is moved by the lack of acceptance of his own people towards his Person. He feels sad of this behaviour.
Jesus is human in this context; even though he is the Son of God,
he is helpless in such a situation.
It is because acceptance has got another deep factor in one’s religious life too.
Acceptance towards some one means we have certain trust in that person.
We are sure of other’s capacity and capability.
Yes, it is more than that we realize.
more...--Fr Thomas Kalathil
Presentation of the Lord or the introduction of Jesus in the Temple or Candlemas was called earlier the sacrifice of Jesus in the temple.
There is an old Jewish tradition that the women after their pregnancy and birth should fulfill the ‘cleansing rituals and sacrifices’.
Also the firstborn son was handed over in the temple.
This was a sign of Commemorating the Passover- Night.
Then the Child was released by an animal sacrifice of offering of money or such offerings.
This tradition is maintained in the church differently- may be not seen so strict as in old times- as the Baptism.
In India, I observe in these years a different ritual of ‘sacrifice’:
There are some specialties for this proclamation:
Normally the Holy Scripture is read either in the temple or in the synagogues. Here, however, Ezra reads it outside the temple – at an open space, in front of the water gate (Shaar HaMayim), one of the thirteen gates of the main courtyard in Jerusalem Temple.
This has some theological significance:
- It shows the word of God may also be effective proclaimed on the road just as in 
The Boy character, who undergoes ship wreckage, struggles alone in a boat with a tiger, repeats a simple sentence.
“Never give up”.
This motto helps him even to co-exist with the tiger and to get rescued;
even the chances of a survival were unbelievable.
“Never give up” – may be we can shorten the Sunday message so.