The Meaning Behind Lifting the Lintel in Faith

Greetings on this the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

The Lord Comes

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Jesus’ parents bring Jesus to the Temple. Fulfilling the law of consecration, they present the Christ of the Lord.

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

Revelation of the Christ of the Lord

And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.

The Passive Heart

Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!

In ancient times to lift up the gate means you must reconstruct the gate structure – the lintel (the horizontal beam of the gate itself and extend the posts). We let the Lord in in small ways but the Christ Event – the Presentation – requires a different opening. An opening of hearts to the wonder of the majesty of the Lord.

Receptive Heart

The faithful witness of Simeon and Anna are so very beautiful. These two lifted up their lintel to allow the Christ to enter their hearts and praise God for their salvation and hope.

Nijiriguchi (crawling-in entrance)

Japanese tea houses use a Nijiriguchi entrance. It is described to enforce a certain humility to crawl through to enter the tea house – both big/small, wealthy/poor all enter the same way. Humility is the goal. This lintel lifting is not that.

Instead the lifting up the lintel is to open the gates of our hearts full and wide that the abundant graces of the Christ may enter our hearts.

Advice from the Psalmist

Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry