Join Autom as we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord!In accordance with Jewish law, 40 days after their birth, all first born males had to be presented in sacrifice to the Lord and actually bought back from Him with a substitute sacrifice. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to the temple in accordance with the Law and they were met by Simeon, who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before his death. Old Simeon greeted them, blessing the baby Jesus and His parents.
This is especially significant and poignant in that Mary and Joseph went to offer Jesus, God’s only Son, back to Him in sacrifice. They “purchased” His freedom with a pair of doves, when He in turn would purchase our freedom by His death on the cross.
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,"
and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Luke 2:22-24
just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,"
and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Luke 2:22-24
The Fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary:
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
We pray this mystery of the Rosary for the Virtue of Obedience
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. - Luke 2:22
Meditation
In obedience to the Law of Moses, Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to God in the temple. The long wait of Israel for the Messiah was ended. So too was the waiting of old Simeon, who blessed the child and His parents, having been promised by the Spirit that he should not die until he had seen the Lord’s Anointed One. He prayed, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation… .”
(Luke 2:29-30)
Anna, a faithful widow, had also prayed and fasted much for this day, and she rejoiced in it.
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As Orthodox Jews, Mary and Joseph obeyed the Law of God. Am I willing to obey God, to follow His Commandments in Scripture and in the teaching of the Church, even when it takes great courage?
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Dear Mother Mary, we place in your heart today all those in authority as well as those who obey them. We pray that God’s dreams for every child come true. We pray for the elderly and all those who invest their lives in others. Dear Lord Jesus, through Mary’s intercession, may we pray in faith, wait in hope, and obey in trust, that You will fulfill all Your promises to us and bring us Your salvation. Amen.
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