Presentation – February 2, 2026 – Sr. Jo Threlfall

Feast of the Presentation – February 2, 2026– Sr. Jo Threlfall, SNDdeN

Luke 2: 22-40

Today the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple marks the end of the Christmas Season. It has also been known in the West as “Candlemas” from the sixth century, when blessings and processions of people carrying candles was introduced; to symbolising the spreading the Good News of the Gospel to the whole world.

Throughout the Old Testament we read of messengers sent by God to prepare the way for Christ’s coming. Malachi in the First Reading of today says, “Behold I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his Temple.”

In this Gospel Reading of today we hear of the fulfilment of this promise and meet several people who help us to understand this message.

On arrival in the Temple, Mary and Joseph with their first-born male child Jesus, presented him to God according to the Old Testament custom. They were welcomed by the kind and gentle elderly couple Simeon and Anna, who are unknown to them. Then Simeon was inspired by God to proclaim-

“Lord now you are letting your servant depart in peace….For my eyes have seen your salvation

That you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

A light for the revelation of the Gentiles  And for the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32.

We pause at this and wonder how this young couple would have reacted to this message in these circumstances; hearing that Jesus has come into the world for all people of every age without exception of every belief, culture, the weak and the strong, the poor and the rich with all our weaknesses and failures.

We see the fidelity and humility of Mary and Joseph having travelled a long and difficult journey to the Temple. They would have been full of gratitude for the great gift of their newborn child; then we are aware of their silent trustful listening to the message presented to them by Simeon and Anna. How could they comprehend the message they were hearing?

Now become aware of the loving kindness and gentleness of the perhaps bewildered elderly couple. Simeon the holy wise man had the courage to speak the truth that God had been inspired him to give.

“Behold this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel  And for a sign that is opposed-

And a sword will pierce through your own soul also- So that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

We know that Jesus was not born to ask us to maintain the status quo, but to wake us up; to call all to redemption; to be the Light for all to see in our broken world.

Let us be companions to each other on the journey praying, listening particularly to the young, being ready to encourage and share in our difficult times.In this way we may continue to spread the light of Christ among those whose lives we touch each day.

“O Christ you are the Light upon the way; we will follow you and reach our father’s Home one day”

Luke 2: 22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord,

“Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted –and you yourself a sword will pierce– so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of 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.

The Gospel of the Lord

Meet Sister Jo Threlfall, SNDdeN

Jo Threlfall entered Notre Dame in 1963 having been educated in different parts of the country by five different religious congregations. The attraction of St. Julie’s charism of simplicity, love, and concern for the education of women and girls was always very strong along with her sense of justice. She spent ten years teaching in primary and middle schools in England before going to Nigeria where she spent time teaching in primary and secondary schools. She later worked with women’s development programmes. This was really challenging but enjoyable and rewarding work. There were only 12 sisters from the British Province when she arrived in 1977 and by the time, she left in 1997 there were over 50 sisters, 6 of whom were expatriates. In 2022, there are over 100 Nigerian Sisters with 2 from the British Province She then spent two years in Zimbabwe in the late 1990’s coordinating women’s development programmes reaching women in the rural areas across the country. Here she was very much aware of the contrast between the wealth in the towns and the dire poverty of the women and children in the rural areas. Often the men went to the towns for work only returning home for short periods. After returning to the UK in 1999, she helped in the Africa Administration section of Cafod and taught English at the Refugee Council. After some pastoral work in Brixton Prison, she continued English teaching at the Cardinal Hume Centre in London and spent a year in the Office of Missio. She has added to her ministry part time work with the ecumenical chaplaincy team at Gatwick Airport. She is a member of the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission focusing on the Laudato Si Movement, immigrants, and modern day slavery.