Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
The Presentation of Jesus More information
Eight days have passed since that very special moment when the world stood still and Our Savior was born. We see Joseph and Mary bringing the Infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, in keeping with the Mosaic laws. They were following the tradition of their people, in obedience to the tenets of their Faith: "Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord." (Luke 2:23-24) They knew this Child was the Son of God and above the ordinances that man must follow; but never, for one moment, did they think this precluded them from obeying the law of their ancestors. Therefore, they made the journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. They weren't prepared for what was to happen to them there.
We don't know if Joseph or Mary ever considered how the world would learn about Jesus. They knew what the Angel had revealed to each of them, as well as to Zechariah and Elizabeth. But this was all within the confines of their family. They believed in the specialness of their Son, Who had been conceived by the the Holy Spirit; but they didn't know how the Father would manifest His Son's presence and mission to the rest of the world. Well, they were about to find out, pretty quickly.
Mary and Joseph did everything that was required under the law of Moses. On this day of Circumcision, it was customary to bring a spotless lamb and a turtledove for sacrifice. But as they were too poor, Joseph could only bring a pair of turtledoves. Didn't he realize that he had brought the Spotless Lamb, the Son Whom God had entrusted to him. Joseph and Mary's hearts beat excitedly, as they climbed to the entrance of the Temple.
There was a lot of activity going on, people going in and out of the Temple. To their amazement, it seemed as if someone was frantically calling out to them. They whirled around to see where it was coming from. There was no one there, except for an old man sitting on the steps, his head bowed low. It couldn't have been him, they thought. He raised his head and stared at them. They entered the Temple; the old man followed them. He was still making sounds, but now they were more like moans of joy mixed with pain. His eyes were riveted on the Baby. Mary laid Jesus on the table, in preparation for His Circumcision. The old man seemed harmless enough to Joseph and Mary, but she became startled when he took the Baby in his arms.
The old man raised his head towards Heaven, and praised the Lord.
"Now, Master, You can dismiss Your servant in peace;
You have fulfilled your word.
For my eyes have witnessed your saving deed displayed for all the peoples to see:
A revealing light to the Gentiles,
the glory of Your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32)
Scripture tells us "The Child's father and mother were marveling at what was being said about Him." (Luke 2:33-34) At first blush, we have to wonder why Joseph and Mary were marveling. Had not the Angel told them that Mary would give birth to the Son of God? Was it that they did not expect it to be revealed so soon? Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the moment he saw Him. He prophesied Jesus' mission, immediately. How did he know this? Luke tells us the Holy Spirit entered into the old man. (Luke 2:25-27)
The Presentation of Jesus More information
We have walked with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem, as in obedience to the Law, they presented Jesus to the Lord. "Consecrate to Me every first-born that opens the womb among the Israelites....It belongs to Me. (Ex 3:2) When Mary said Yes to this consecration of her Son to God the Father, she began her walk to the Cross. We will share the many times that Mary is given the message that her Son will suffer. As she gives every Yes, our Lord walks one step closer to His Passion and death on the Cross, and she with Him. The prophet Simeon told Mary that the Messiah, the Anointed One, would be the "consolation of Israel". Who will be your consolation, Mother Mary as you stand beneath the Cross?
Her great Fiat, her Yes to the Angel Gabriel was just the beginning, the first in a lifetime of Yeses, most of which would have been enough for any mother to scream from the pit of her stomach, "Stop! Enough! I can't do it!" But Mary kept going, determined to do whatever it took to fulfill the Lord's Will. We do not know, if at the very beginning, she had been given a look at all she would be called to suffer, she would have been able to handle it. But the Lord never gives us more than we can carry. One day at a time, that's all He asks for, only today. Yesterday is gone; there is nothing we can do about it. Tomorrow has troubles of its own. Live for today. Say Yes today, and watch how it washes clean yesterday, and changes tomorrow into a beautiful today. Do as Mary did. Give Our Lord Jesus your ongoing Yes. Start today, now!