The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord

 The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord at the Temple




Introduction: The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus, that occurred forty days after his birth.  It is an 'epiphany' celebration insofar as the Christ Child is revealed as the Messiah through the Canticle of Simeon and the testimony of Anna, the prophetess. At the birth of Christ, the angels proclaimed His divinity to the shepherds, but in the Temple, Simeon was the first to understand and proclaim Jesus as the Savior of the World. He also prophesied that this salvation would be accomplished by a sword of sorrow that would pierce the Immaculate Heart of Mary, prophesying that she would suffer greatly along with her son to bring about the salvation of mankind.


Canonical account 


The story of the Presentation is told in Luke 2:22-29. Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews who observed all the religious laws and customs of Moses. 


An important custom was for all Jewish couples to dedicate their first-born to Yahweh at the Temple in Jerusalem, by presenting him forty days after his birth (a period required to complete the mother's ritual purification after childbirth) and to perform the redemption of the firstborn (Leviticus 12, Exodus 13:12-15.) 


In addition, if the parents were wealthy, they were to bring a lamb and a young pigeon or a turtle dove to be offered as a sacrifice at the Temple, if however the parents were poor, they were to offer two pigeons or two turtle doves for the sacrifice.


As they arrived at the Temple with the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph were met by a learned elderly man named Simeon. He was a holy man and was noted as a very intelligent scholar. Simeon spent much time studying about the prophets of Israel. It was during his studies that he learned of the coming of the Messiah. The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah to come and deliver Israel from their Roman oppressors. From that time on, Simeon spent many years praying for the Messiah to come. Finally, he heard the voice of God, promising Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah (Luke 2:26).


Simeon prayed the prayer that would become known as the “Canticle of Simeon”, which prophesied the redemption of the world by Jesus: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; to be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of Thy people Israel”, Luke 2:29-32.  Simeon then prophesied to Mary, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.  Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”, Luke 2:34-35.  


The devout Prophetess Anna, who never left the Temple but spent each day in prayer and fasting also offered prayers and praise to God for Jesus and spoke to everyone there about Jesus and his role in the redemption of Israel, Luke 2:36-38.  


After Jesus was presented in the Temple, the family returned to Galilee to the town of Nazareth. The Bible tells us that Jesus grew and became strong, and was filled with wisdom.

Short video depicting the Presentation of Our Lord


Notes:

1. The feast has at times been called the “Purification of Mary.” This is because the mother of a newborn son was ritually unclean for seven days, and then she was to “spend thirty-three more days in a state of blood purity” (Leviticus 12). During these forty days, she was not to “touch anything sacred nor enter the sanctuary till the days of her purification are fulfilled.” 
2. The feast is traditionally referred to as “Candlemas” because as early as the fifth century, the custom of celebrating this feast with lighted candles had developed. The lit candles symbolized Simeon’s prophecy that Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” 
3. Among the Orthodox this feast is known as the Hypapante or the “Feast of the Holy Encounter” because God, in the Person of Jesus, encountered Simeon and Anna in the Temple.
 

References: 

  1. Newman Ministry. (n.d.). Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from https://www.newmanministry.com/saints/presentation-of-jesus-in-the-temple
  2. My Catholic Life! (2024, February 1). Feast of the presentation of The Lord. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/february-2-presentation-of-the-lord-feast/
Location: Jerusalem

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