The offering of a pair of turtledoves or of two young pigeons was the typical sacrifice of the poor, whereas the rich would offer cleaned animals. This reality of Jesus, who was from an ordinary, poor family, will always lead us to wonder: how could Simeon and Anna recognize the Messiah in Jesus, who was a poor and powerless baby? In fact, today's Gospel gives us a clue to the answer: both of them are just and devout, fervent in praying to God. This is something which we desperately need in our time. To see God in the marginalized, the poor, the underprivileged, the sick, the powerless and the uneducated people requires being just and prayerful in front of God. Praying manifests one's inner disposition towards God: a readiness to listen to God, to dialogue with God, to follow God's most holy will. Only in and through deep prayer can we truly sense the presence of God in our midst, especially in those upon whom others look down, neglect, ignore or keep a distance from or even hate.