The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ

Today’s Sunday gospel is Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. If you pray the Rosary daily, you will certainly know that today’s feast is also the 4th mystery of the Joyful mystery of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Candlemas Day. You can read this scripture passage in Luke 2:22-40.

“22 when the days were completed for their purification according to the Law of Moses, (Joseph and Mary_ took [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 25 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. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.

27 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, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying, 29 “Now Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for you people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34 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 35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36 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, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four…38 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. 39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”

*  *  *

This is a very important feast in the Catholic Church because of Simeon’s prophecy, when he said, “Behold this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted 35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” What is this sign that will be contradicted? It is the Holy Cross, which in Ancient Rome was a tool of death, which is today akin to our electric chair. Yet, when the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine, through a vision, embraced the Holy Cross and placed it as the symbol of his army, he was victorious over his enemies and pagan Rome became Christian!

Simeon also prophesied that a sword would pierce the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is true as there was always a mystical bond between the Blessed Mother and her God Son our Lord Jesus Christ. During his passion and death, the Blessed Mother also endured the sufferings of her Son.

Today is also considered the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Jewish Torah or the Mosaic Law, a mother who gives birth to a son was considered unclean for seven days. She was to remain three and 30 days in the blood of purification and after offering two turtle doves and the priest prayed for her, she was then considered clean. This is why Simeon blessed both St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the book “The life of Mary as seen through by the Mystics” by Raphael Brown, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bridget of Sweden and told her, “I did not need purification, like other women because my Son who was born of me, made me clean. Nevertheless that the Law and the prophets might be fulfilled I chose to live according to the Law. Nor did I live like worldly parents, but humbly conversed with the humble. Nor did I wish to show anything extraordinary in me, but loved whatever was humble.”

Candlemas Day marks the celebration of the first entry of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the light of the world into the temple in Jerusalem. This was first celebrated in the Church in Jerusalem in a procession where the participants carried lighted candles and sang the antiphon “Adorna thalamum tuum, Sion, which was composed by St. John of the Cross.

The Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a lesson in humility. There was no need for the Blessed Virgin Mary to be purified because she was spared from original sin, nor did our Lord need to be presented in the temple of his Father for he was divinity himself, the second person in the Holy Trinity.

*  *  *

Email: [email protected]