2-2-22 THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD (FEAST)

Luke 2:22-40 (or Luke 2:22-32) [WAU.ORG]

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.

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.

PTBC:

At the start of his Homily during this Holy Mass on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, the priest mentioned that he previously did not see the link to the OT when Joseph and Mary presented the Offering of the Poor…Two young pigeons or Two Turtledoves when they entered the Temple to Have Jesus Presented there shortly after His Birth. That said, the priest then stated that (not Church Teaching!) the lamb that wealthier people normally gave as a sacrifice vs. the Two Pigeons (from the poor), did not need to be presented because Jesus the Lamb of God was already present. Beautifully Awesome!!!

As a corollary to this statement, I (Catholic layman) would say that Mary and Joseph did present a Lamb for Sacrifice…The Lord Jesus Himself…an active one in the Temple in the presence of Simeon, who the Lord said would not taste death until he had seen the “Salvation of God”. Thank you, Holy Spirit,…as we all continue to learn the deep and all-abiding Holy Word of God!!!