THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE TEMPLE

Fourth Mystery
THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE
Our Father...
1. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord" ), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." Hail Mary...

2. Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Hail Mary...

3. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. Hail Mary...

4. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. Hail Mary...

5. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Hail Mary...

6. The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Hail Mary...

7. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Hail Mary...

8. There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. Hail Mary...

9. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Hail Mary...

10. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Hail Mary...

Glory be to the Father…

The Mother of God and St. Joseph come to the Temple to present God to God, the Son to the Father but as if he were a sinner like all others. In His humility the Word is carried as the man-child, full of wisdom beyond His years, to have His life redeemed with two doves. He is priced this cheaply as a baby because He is a poor man and as a poor man He will be sold cheaply for thirty pieces of silver. At least here is not unrecognised; inspired by the Spirit Simeon recognizes the Lord, the True High Priest, as He enters His Temple carried in the arms of His Mother, who made a Temple for Him in her body, He who is to establish the Temple of His Church by uniting man to the Temple of His Body. A long life of service is crowned with the King's arrival, the Priest approaching at last the altar of sacrifice. Here is prophesied that this saving sacrifice is not just for the Jews but for the Gentiles together they are to form a new Israel.
This is not without pain. For His Mother her heart will be pierced. What does this mean? Tradition says it refers to the sorrow that will come to her from the suffering of Her Son and God. Her heart will be pierced with Her Son's side. She is the midwife of the Church, an icon of the Church and its first and noblest member. In the earthly Jewish temple she presents God to God as she will present Him to the Father at the foot of the Cross. Joseph, ever-faithful, stands by her, a model of silent contemplation and obedience. In the fresco above Anna appears in a window/tower proclaiming from on high the wondrous actions of God.
Let us accompany the Mother of God as St. Joseph did and in the temple, as at the foot of the Cross, offer ourselves in union with Him so that He will 'buy us back' and give us eternal life.