And Now, Our Feature Presentation

Lent starts February 14, and so does the RESCUED Blessed is She Lent devotional. This year, you’ll be receiving an excerpt from the Lent devotional every day in your inbox (in lieu of our regular daily devo). We want to pray with one heart and one mind as the BIS sisterhood. If you prefer to have the book, purchase the 2024 Blessed is She Lent devotional RESCUED right here. Right upon purchase, you’ll receive a link to come into the free Blessed is She app to walk through the Lenten season with us in daily live prayer, small groups, and more. Together let’s look to the Lamb of God who came to rescue each one of us.

 

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel.” // Luke 2:29-32

At Sister’s prompting, I stood up, and applause exploded from the pews. It was equally exhilarating and terrifying being the center of attention, especially after having kept my vocation under the radar for so long. But now, after two years of prayerful waiting, I was finally being presented by my diocese as an official candidate for Consecrated Virginity.    

Throughout my discernment period, the probing question on my heart was not whether I was called to live as Jesus’ chaste bride, but rather how I was called to live that precious invitation out. Did Christ want me to keep my sacrifice hidden, or did He desire a public declaration of the promise?   

My propensity to lay low, to avoid stirring up notice, nearly caused me to overlook the gift being presented to me—the “light for revelation to the Gentiles” that the prophet Simeon zealously acknowledges in today’s Gospel (see Luke 2:22-32). Although my eyes had seen Jesus’ salvation in my life, I was hesitant to share this marvelous sight. I desired to stay in the temple forever, savoring the glory that had been revealed to me in my secret soul-space.   

Dearest sister, while a life of hidden sacrifice has its own merits, Pope Francis put it beautifully when he said that we, “like Mary and Simeon,” are meant “to take Jesus into our arms, to bring him to his people” (source). At our Baptism, we become living temples of God and signposts of the light that dwells in us. As children of the light (see 1 Thessalonians 5:5) we are entrusted with the sacred commission to carry Christ to all those who dwell in darkness. To not only see the light but be the light.    

Beloved Jesus, You are the King of Glory and the Desire of Nations. On this blessed Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, beckon us toward the light as we acclaim You as our Savior. Help us to imitate Your devoted servant Simeon, so that, docile to the stirrings of the Spirit, we may boldly confess to the world that You are here, illuminating the very temples of our hearts.