Meditation on the Presentation of Our Lord
Gentile da Fabriano’s La Présentation au Temple, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The story of the Presentation of Jesus, as found in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 2, has always been one of my favorites, and has held a special place in my spiritual life as an adult child of divorce. When our parents are divorced, separated, or in a difficult marriage, the struggles in their relationship become the dominant force in the house. While following the precepts of the Church (CCC 2041) may be there, the attitude of humble obedience and stewardship of the gift of children (CCC 2378) are often harder to notice, especially for the children. In this beautiful mystery of the Presentation, let us look at the Holy Family, and allow them to teach us and heal us in those places in need of the Lord’s light.
“And when the time came for their purification, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that opens, the womb shall be called, holy to the Lord And to offer sacrifices, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Mary and Joseph are united in marriage, and are the most perfect example of marriage to walk this earth. Obedience to God‘s will allowed them to receive the gift of God's Son. They were stewards of the beautiful gift of life, and understood it as a gift from God, to be offered back in a beautiful exchange of trust and love. The precepts of the law are mentioned three times in these three verses. There is the purification of the mother who is to care for this gift of life in relationship with God. There is the presentation of the child that is offered by both parents to acknowledge their gratitude for the child’s life. And, finally, there is a sacrifice, which is the fruit of the father’s labor and shows the commitment of the two parents to include their child in the covenant with the Lord.
Many children do not experience these attitudes we see in Joseph and Mary from their own parents, namely their willingness for ongoing purification and conversion, their unconditional gratitude, their entrusting of their child to the Lord, and the sacrifice they made of even the smallest things for the good of their family. In Mary and Joseph, we see outward actions that confirm their love for the Lord and their son, and also their willingness to step up as responsible parents. Often in broken homes, the child is forced to “step up” early, which involves caring for parents and siblings without experiencing either a mature adult receiving their own personhood with love, nor a parent entrusting them with responsible gratitude to the Lord, whose love never fails (cf. 1st Corinthians 13:8). Mary and Joseph join this mission together and reaffirm that commitment and sacrifice, acknowledging and embracing the sacrifices each of them would have to make.
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous sent out, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord Christ.”
“And there was a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband, seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was 84. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour, she gave things to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Simeon and Anna have seen much of life‘s pain and hardships and pray constantly for the redemption of their people. Their desire to be with God brings them to the temple, the place of his dwelling, his home. They not only want to be at home with him, but they wish to hear his voice and bring others into communion with him. They were not discouraged by the darkness in which they lived, but allowed it to draw them to the ever-lit Jerusalem temple, seeking God and the fulfillment of his promises. This desire for God‘s light and presence did not go unanswered, though they clearly waited years and years until the promise was fulfilled. Yet, even in that time, they did not waver or grow bitter, but held out in hope.
Faced with our own broken family, church community, or sinful world, we can become wrapped in darkness and despair, rather than allowing our eyes to be drawn to the light of the Church, remaining with her as we eagerly await the fulfillment of God‘s promises.
“and when the parents brought in the child Jesus”
Adam and Eve, through selfishness and disobedience, grasp at fruit and separate themselves from God. Joseph and Mary, also a married couple, listened and received a gift from God, in a deep sense the fruit of their love and obedience, and by doing so returned all of humanity to a place of encounter with God. He desired so much to be with his people that becoming a man on earth for only a lifetime was not enough. Jesus came with his presence to establish the new and eternal covenant, a marriage of mankind with God, never to be broken by the infidelity of the people but always able to be renewed and restored. And he planned to never leave. His presence is continued in our hearts, the temple of our bodies at baptism, but never again leaves the earth because of his presence in the Eucharist. He is near us; he is the one who always stays, never abandons us, and in the Presentation he is carried into the temple by his parents to fulfill that promise.
Mary, Jesus and Joseph enter into the temple together. They enter into a new relationship with the Lord as a family unit (cf. CCC 1655-1658), and pledge their obedience and love to the Lord in the following of his law.
“And inspired by the Spirit, he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the customs of the law, he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
‘Lord, let thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;
for my eyes have seen the salvation,
which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples
a light for revelation to the gentiles,
and for glory to thy people, Israel.’
And his father and his mother marvel at what was said about him.”
Here we have the Spirit moving and planning a beautiful encounter. Simeon follows the Spirit to the temple. The parents of Jesus come in at the same time, and Simeon recognizes the Christ and their 40-day-old infant. The quiet, hidden life of Christ is interrupted for a moment as Simeon proclaims the arrival of the Messiah, and welcomes him with open arms. He does not question the poverty or humility of Mary and Joseph, and none of them shy from the great excitement around the fulfillment of God‘s promise. Simeon is not greedy, demanding proof of the child’s worthiness, or an explanation of God‘s will. He is humble and submits himself willingly to God‘s will, even when it announces the death of his life. His message of one is one of absolute faith and trust, because he had seen the way God was preparing for this moment.
And Simeon sings in gratitude - not just for himself, or his own people, but for all people to be freed from the darkness of woundedness and sin, and receive the light of salvation. They receive the light of salvation, and may also again see the light of God‘s glory.
“And his father and mother marveled at what was said about him”
Together, Mary and Joseph receive the prophecy of Simeon. Scripture shows us their togetherness in so many ways, and this is no exception. They both marvel. There is no jealousy or cynicism, doubt or fear, just marveling and love about what their little gift, their child, means already to the people of Israel, though he has done no outward saving action of his own.
“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
‘Behold, this child is set for the fall, and rising of many and Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, and a sword will pierce your own soul. Also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.’”
Simeon blessed them, a sign of gratitude and fortification for the sacrifices they would have to make as a family. In the same breath, he turns to Mary and gives her the painful reality of what will happen to her and her son. She will join her son as a co-redeemer (cf. Lumen Gentium 62 & CCC 970). The image of the “suffering servant” would have been familiar to all of them from Old Testament writings, but that Mary herself would join in that suffering was not explicit before. It would have simply been the suffering that any mother experiences during the pain of their child. But she was to play a deeper role in that, with Jesus, she would perceive the thoughts and hearts of all who suffer in any way. Mary is not omniscient, but through her union with her son and his redemptive work, she receives the revelation of the thoughts of many hearts, and cherishes them all.
As you read and reread this passage in the Gospel of Luke, reflect on the different families in your life - your immediate family, your extended family, or other friends and their families - and ask yourself how they might have reacted to the events in the Presentation. In the areas where there is pain and a need for healing, ask Mary, Joseph and Jesus to come alongside you and help you to open your heart to the loving presence of the Holy Family. May they love you and raise you as their child in all of the bittersweet moments of your life.
Intercessory Prayer:
Prayer: My saving Lord, Your loving parents offered You to Your Father in the Temple in accordance with the Law You revealed to Moses. In that offering, our souls are purified and we are offered to Your Father with You. I thank You for the gift of salvation and pray that my soul will always radiate Your light as You dwell within me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Prayer taken from https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/february-2-presentation-of-the-lord-feast/
About the author:
Sister M. Lucia Richardson, OSF is a religious sister of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. Born and raised in the Midwest, she has been blessed with the grace of knowing God's love and healing presence in the midst of much family turbulence, separation and divorce. Eucharistic Adoration, life with her Sisters in community, and teaching her students bring her an abundance of joy that she loves sharing with others each day.
Reflection Questions for Small Groups or Individuals
Imagine yourself being presented with Jesus in the temple. Is it easy or difficult to imagine?
Read through the gospel passage again, and imagine what your parents would have been like presenting you in the temple. What feelings come up? What thoughts come to mind?
Reflect on the relationship between Mary and Joseph, and ask them to take you into their hearts as their child.
In prayer, ask Mary and Joseph to help you present your parents to the Lord, so that he may pour his grace into their hearts.