Week 12 - The presentation of the child Jesus in the temple

The presentation of the child Jesus in the temple (Lk 2:22-38)

Ward Biemans sj.

The meditation I want to offer you today is based on the Gospel of Candlemas, the feast of the Lord's presentation in the temple. (Read Lk. 2, 22-38) First, we can imagine the scene, as we can see on the icon. We see Joseph and Mary on the left, and old Simeon holding the child Jesus in his hands. Behind Simeon is Anna, the prophetess. Looking at such an image can help us focus on the Bible passage we are going to pray with. And we can also use our imagination in the process. This can make the scene come alive, as if we were there ourselves. Maybe we feel drawn to a certain person or persons in the scene…We formulate our desire, inner knowledge of the Lord, who became man for me, to love and follow Him more…

At the first point, we could focus our attention on Joseph. How would he have felt? He faithfully did what the law of Moses prescribed. And Mary, she who was without sin, she still went to offer a cleansing sacrifice in the temple. She did not want to give an opportunity for the Jews to take offence at her behaviour. And she thus set an example for us. Mary and her Son Jesus are models for us as examples of purification, which is putting off sin and spiritual circumcision, by accepting Christ's work of redemption. What further stands out is that Mary and Joseph brought an offering poor people were used to give, of two pigeons, rather than to sacrifice a lamb. And then we can focus particularly on the person of Jesus Christ, here still a child. According to St Thomas Aquinas, Christ showed in His whole life that He wanted to fulfil the law. In this way, He showed that He approved of the law and that He would perfect it in Himself. So, let us pause to focus on this scene and to draw profit from it.

At the second point of our meditation, we see Simeon, an old, law-abiding and pious Jew. His name means: the obedient one. On him rests the Holy Spirit who prophesied that Simeon would see the Lord's anointed, the Messiah, before his death. The wonderful thing is, Simeon recognises the child Jesus as the Messiah and therefore he praises God. He has waited patiently and now, in his old age, he sees the Messiah who brings him peace and at the same time salvation and light for all nations. Even though at first glance it does not seem like a very special encounter, Simeon knows its unique meaning. So, it can happen to us too, when a seemingly unremarkable event suddenly takes on important significance. St Bede comments on this Gospel piece as follows: 'If you wish to hold and embrace Jesus in your arms and to be allowed to go in peace, as Simeon wished, then you must strive to be guided by the Holy Spirit in every work: come to Jerusalem, by meditating heavenly things; enter the temple, following the example of those in whom God dwells, begging and asking that you may live forever in the Lord's house; look forward to the Lord's coming. Then you will be found worthy to take the Word of God Himself in your arms and be embraced by faith, hope and love. You may go away in peace, but you will not see eternal death, because you have seen the Lord.' (Life of Christ, I, 239) We pause to contemplate with Simeon and the child Jesus.

Joseph and Mary marvel at old Simeon's words. And then it turns out that this special encounter also has a downside. Simeon addresses Mary specifically and speaks a prophetic word about her. The Messiah will not just bring joy. He will also be a sign of opposition. And we see this today in the meaning of the cross. The cross is also a sign of contradiction. For us, it is our only hope, but many people prefer to see it disappear from classrooms or on church spires. Mary's soul will be pierced by a sword: she will have to bear the great sorrow of her Son's violent death and become his faithful, believing disciple.

Then, finally Anna enters the limelight in the temple; her name means ‘mercy’. She served God, day and night through fasting and prayer. She thanked God when she saw the child Jesus, and she spoke of Him to all who expected the redemption of Jerusalem. Apparently, even then she recognised this joyful message in the Child. Let us too dwell with Him and recognise who He really is for us.

At the end of this meditation, we have an inner conversation.

The presentation of the child Jesus in the temple (Lk 2:22-38)

Preparatory prayer. To ask God our Lord the grace that all my intentions, actions and spiritual activities may be purely directed towards the service and praise of His Divine Majesty.

First introduction. Recalling the history of what I am about to contemplate.

Second introduction. Seeing the place. The temple, where Simeon and Anna were.

Third introduction. Asking what I desire. Here that will be: inner knowledge of the Lord, who became man for me, to love and follow Him more.

First point. Mary and Joseph carry the child Jesus into the temple with an offering to the Lord.

Second point. Simeon took the child Jesus in his arms and proclaimed God's praise. 

Third point. Anna, who was constantly staying in the temple, thanked God and talked about the child.

Inner conversation. At the end, you can hold an inner conversation. Thinking about what you want to say to the three divine persons or to the incarnate eternal Word or to His Mother, Our Lady. According to what you feel in yourself, you ask what helps to follow our Lord, who became man for us, more and act according to his example. Then pray an Our Father.

When to the temple Mary went

When to the temple Mary went,
And brought the Holy Child,
Him did the aged Simeon see,
As it had been revealed.
He took up Jesus in his arms
And blessing God he said:
In peace I now depart, my Saviour having seen,
The Hope of Israel, the Light of men.

Help now thy servants, gracious Lord,
That we may ever be
As once the faithful Simeon was,
Rejoicing but in Thee;
And when we must from earth departure take,
May gently fall asleep and with Thee wake.

This hymn is attributed to composer Johannes Eccard (1553–1611).

Lc. 2, 22-38

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus 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.

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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 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, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 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 -and you yourself a sword will pierce- so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

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, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 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.