Presentation Of Jesus
In The Temple...
Another Lesson In Obedience
"The sons of wisdom are the church of the just:
and their generation, obedience and love."
-Eccl 3:1
This scene sets the stage for the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
Keep these events in mind as well as the fruit of the mystery which is the virtue of obedience.
You will find it helpful to look at a picture of the Presentation of Jesus or even
listen to some music that will uplift your soul...
Mary and Joseph take the baby Jesus to Jerusalem "to present him to the Lord" -Luke 2:22
The presentation of Jesus in the temple is in fulfillment with the Jewish law.
Every male child must be taken to the temple and an animal must be offered as a sacrifice.
That is why Joseph is usually artistically depicted in this scene holding a cage
with two doves in it.
The prophet Simeon and the prophetess Anna meet the Holy Family while at the temple
in Jerusalem. Simeon was told by God that he would see the Savior before he died.
When Simeon sees baby Jesus he takes him from Mary and holds Him in his arms and
praises God proclaiming, "Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according
to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation" -Luke 2:29
Simeon then blesses Mary and Joseph and prophesies to Mary:
"Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel,
and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce,
that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed." -Luke 34-35
Even though this is a joyful occasion you can see in the words of Simeon a foreshadow
of the sorrows that will be shared between Jesus and his Mother Mary.
Mary suffered with Jesus from the beginning to the end.
Anna also proclaims that this child, the baby Jesus, is the long awaited Messiah.
After all this the Holy Family leaves Jerusalem and returns to Nazareth.
There they live in peace and joy for many years before Jesus begins His public life.
For the Bible says...
"The child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him." -Luke 2:40
Scripture passages for the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple were taken from the Douay-Rheims bible.
If you are looking for a more modern language version of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple,
our recommendation would be the St. Ignatius Press Bible.
If you would like to read the full scriptural account of the of the Presentation
of Jesus in the Temple, it can be found
in Luke 2:22-40.
Return to Joyful Mysteries page
More Meditations
On The Rosary Mystery
Presentation Of Jesus
In The Temple...
Below you will find some more reflection on the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple mystery of the rosary.
Return often to this page when you are praying the Joyful Mystery of the rosay - Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
Be sure you bookmark this page so you can find it easily...
You can also contribute your own meditations on this Rosary mystery by going here...
Below are some meditations to think about as you pray...
Mary shows the importance of setting a good example for others and the importance of
having good intentions in all your affairs.
Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple to offer Him to God. You can follow
this example by devout attendance at Mass where you offer Jesus to God.
"Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such
is the kingdom of God." -Mark 10:14
This mystery shows that it is important not to neglect the duty of teaching children
about God and His laws.
Keep your religious obligations without delay, just as Mary and Joseph did.
Simeon is not anxious about death, rather he looks forward to it because he hopes for heaven.
The prophecy that Jesus would be a "sign which shall be contradicted" continues
to be seen even to this day more than 2,000 years later.
All through the ages He has had enemies oppose His church.
They attack its members and denounce its teachings.
Are there times in your life when you are called to be a sign of contradiction?
The prophetess Anna is an example for those advanced in years.
It is true that you should respect your elders. But there are two sides to this coin.
Elders have the responsibility of being worthy of respect.
The Bible account tells us that Anna was holy and that she fasted and prayed
"serving night and day". -Luke 2:37
Mary offered her son just as other mothers did, but it was different with Mary.
Mary knew that Jesus would one day be offered to God as a true sacrifice.
Mary obeyed two precepts of the Jewish law.
This is one more occasion when Mary is obedient to God's laws.
It is clear here once again that Joseph and Mary lived in Poverty.
They offered two turtle doves as opposed to a small lamb that a wealthier couple
would have offered.
The words "for the fall" meant that Jesus came to make reparation for the sins
of the entire human race.
But, in order to be saved you must believe in Him and obey His commandments.
Many would not believe and they are the people who this verse is referring.
If you want to be among those who share in the resurrection, you must obey His commandments.
When Simeon tells Mary that her heart shall be pierced by a sword, the meaning is clear.
Mary shared in Jesus' mission of saving the human race.
There is a parallel between this mystery and the sacrifice of Abraham which is found in Genesis 22:1-18.
The similarities are seen between Mary offering Jesus and Abraham's willingness to
offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice.
Both Mary and Abraham prove their faith and obedience to God.
As a reward for Abraham's obedience, God made this promise to him...
- "I will bless thee, and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as
the sand that is by the sea shore: thy seed shall possess the gates of their enemies.
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast
obeyed my voice." -Genesis 22:17-18
Read more on Abraham's Sacrifice and it's relation to the Presentation here
In light of God's promise to Abraham, it can be deduced that God would grant to
Mary a similar promise in the fact that she would have a multitude of spiritual
children who would be counted among the elect.
Jesus gave Mary to you from the cross...
"When Jesus therefore had seen his mother
and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son.
After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother." -John 19:26-27
At the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Mary united her will to Jesus, therefore
they offered the same sacrifice and she thereby partook in his redeeming role.
Mary was not a passive bystander in Salvation History.
She played a very profound
and active role.
The Joyful mysteries show her importance.
This mystery in particular demonstrates her role as co-redemptrix.
She gave her consent that Jesus could be sacrificed and she too would suffer as Simeon prophesied.
God promised Simeon that he would see the Savior before he died.
How did Simeon receive the Savior?...
Through the arms of Mary.
You also can find Jesus through the arms of Mary.
Prayer After Meditation
Upon
Presentation of Jesus
In The Temple...
O Lord, teach me to embrace my duties and fulfill them faithfully.
Offer me opportunities to show my obedience and through my obedience and
faithfulness to my obligations grant me peace in all my affairs with the secure
knowledge that I had good intentions and did the best I could.
Amen.
Visit the fifth Joyful Mystery page - Finding Jesus in the Temple
Return to the third Joyful Mystery page - Birth of Jesus
Return to our Rosary Mysteries page
More scriptural meditations on the rosary - Presentation of Jesus in the Temple here...
Catholic Mysteries Of The Rosary
Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from St. Luke's Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus' childhood. The most joyful event in all of human history is the Incarnation or when God became man and dwelt among us read more...
Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
What a gift the the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary are. Meditating on these
Mysteries of Light bring even deeper understanding of the public life of Jesus.
They fill in the blanks between Jesus' childhood and His suffering and death on
the cross. Therefore read more...
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary remind you of how much Jesus
loves you. He suffered and died for you. "Greater love than this no
man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
-John 15:13. You are loved by Jesus read more...
Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
The Glorious Mysteries are the crown of Jesus' triumphs. How
exhilarating to know that Jesus is God and that He rose from the dead,
making you an heir to Heaven. Reminding yourself of these glorious
events as you pray the Rosary prayer will keep your faith alive and strong read more...
Return to our Origin of the Rosary page
Return to our Meditations on the Rosary page
Return to Catholic Rosary Prayers page
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