The Presentation in the Temple: Oblation of the Divine King
March 29, 2011 | XVI.Grace: I ask for intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus who for me lived as an infant under the faithful and tender care of Mary and Joseph.
Text: Luke 2:22-38
Reflection: After Jesus is born and circumcised Mary and Joseph take their newly first-born son to Jerusalem. This is in order to live in accordance with the law that they received from Moses: all first-born sons shall be presented to God in the Temple so that they may be consecrated to Him. The law indicated that children should be presented within forty days of birth.
We can take time during our prayer to imagine how Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus make their way from the area of Bethlehem up to Jerusalem in order to fulfill the law. They get in line just like everyone else—without privileges or exceptions. They offer two turtledoves: the sacrifice offered by the poor unable to afford a larger animal. Here we see the gentle, humble, and unassuming faithfulness of the Holy Family.
Posted by Mr. Mikey Wood, S.J. in XVI.