Today is the feast of the presentation of our Lord in the Temple.. Forty days after the birth of our Lord, his parents; Joseph and Mary brought him to the Temple as prescribed by the law. And at the Presentation in the Temple, they presented Turtle doves the birds symbolize love and faithfulness in the life they share together .
In Leviticus 12:8, two turtle doves replaced a lamb sacrifice. Mary and Joseph sacrificed two turtle doves in Jerusalem at Christ’s birth. Love and faithfulness can be attain in any vocation so as long as we obey His commands then we shall gain wisdom of heart.
It was on this occasion Simeon, who had been promised he would see the Messiah before he died, came in, took the infant king and declared, “Lord, now you may let your servant go in peace, your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel” Luke 2:21-32.
This passage is said at compline in order to commit everything and our lives into the hands of God.
In today’s feast we also celebrates the “purification” of our Lady when, as a Jewish woman, she would present herself forty days after giving birth to be welcome in the community. It might strike us as odd, even irritating that a woman or a couple would need to be purified after giving birth. But ancient Jewish practice exhibited great reverence for rituals of birth and death.
The fact is that all of us need purification and cleansing. We are sinners, and we live in a world tainted by sin. Jesus our savior alone can cleanse and purify us and make us able to endure the glory of God.
Today’s Gospel ends with this words; “When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him’-Luke 2:40.
WORLD DAY OF CONSECRATED LIFE
In 1997, St. John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life to be celebrated on this day, as well, because those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
Today Jesus is not only presented in the temple, he is presented to you as the light to the nations, obey and fulfill his commands. Reach out to hold on to him and receive him in your heart.Like. Simeon, tell others to come, like Anna. Jesus our Light and salvation is here. Our Lord seeks communion with us, and is not ashamed to call us his brethren (Heb 2:11).
Happy Feast Day
