LUKE 2:22-38
The Presentation in the Temple.
When the days were completed for their purification* according to the law of Moses, they took him 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 Messiah 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 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.
NOW LORD YOU MAY LET YOUR SERVANT GO I HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION
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.
REFLECTION
The first thing I am reminded of is that Mary and Joseph are faithful Jews who follow God’s law given to Moses. They are righteous in right order with God. How about us? Are we conformed to the image of God that we were created. Do we follow the teachings of Jesus and His Church?
Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, Holy Spirit was upon him and Holy Spirit revealed the consolation of Israel, According to the Jewish people the consolation and the Messiah are one and the same.
“Comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for” Isaiah 40:1-2
Now that Simeon has seen the consolation, the Messiah, he tells God that He can let him go now in peace. Salvation has come not only to Israel but to all nations. Are we ready to accept our Savior and let other stuff go? Can we be satisfied living in His embrace? We are saved! Let’s accept it! Let’s act like it! Is there anything we need more than Jesus in this life? If He is not sufficient, why not?
Maybe it is because we are not as strong in our faith like Mary and Joseph. Maybe we can’t take the suffering in self-denial that may come with the commitment.
Simeon told Mary that her son will be destined for the rise and fall of many. Will we rise with Jesus or fall into sin. Mary’s heart will be pierced by the passion and death of her Son that we may be redeemed. Can we accept the cross as well as the resurrection?
Can we place ourselves in the temple as a witness to this prophecy? What would my reaction be? There was one you know, Anna, a widow, who spent day and night in the temple praying.
How is our praying coming along? Anna’s prayer life readied her to recognize the Messiah, the one who redeems us. She then bore witness to everyone what she experienced. Are we witnesses to the Good News? A Savior has been born, ‘go tell it on the mountain
LUKE 2:41-52
The Boy Jesus in the Temple.
Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.
THE BOY JESUS TEACHES IN THE TEMPLE
When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”* But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
SON WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS TO US I MUST BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE
REFLECTION
How could Mary and Joseph lose Jesus the Son of God? Well, I guess I could ask that question of so many today too. Fortunately, for Mary and Joseph, they found Jesus but let us pray for those who have either given up searching or have never searched for Jesus? Jesus is there for the asking. Ask and it will be given, seek and you shall find.
Where was this wayward child anyway? At the candy store, playing on a swing somewhere, hugging some stray animal? No, he was in his Father’s house. That is a pretty safe place to be. How about us how much time do we spend in our Father’s house in prayer?
Back to the boy Jesus teaching in the temple. The religious teachers were astounded at his knowledge and wisdom regarding scripture. How about us? Do we read the Bible regularly? Do we ever attend a Bible study program or watch one on the internet?
I am reminded of the story after the Resurrection on the Road to Emmaus as Jesus walked along with two disciples.” “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!…And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. “Luke 25:25
How I wish I had been there to hear the whole story from Jesus’ lips. The next best thing is reading the inspired writers of the bible. God is the author after all.
After three days, Mary and Joseph find Jesus, they express their anxiety as any set of parents would. They were not looking to punish but just understanding how this could happen, after all Jesus was a very good child. Jesus answers them, why were you looking for me (they were looking three days) didn’t you know I must be in my Father’s house?
The anxiety is gone but now Mary and Joseph are perplexed. They are now reminded this child is not just any ordinary child but the Son of God, the Father. They put that on hold for a while and all travel back home to Nazareth where Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man in the home of Mary and Joseph.
A child lives what he experiences….Be very careful, children are listening and watching! Do we as a family pray together, worship together, and teach the little ones stories of Jesus? Let us pray for our family and families of this world that they too may imitate Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in love and generosity. Amen
You ask the hard question, “Maybe you can’t take the suffering in self-denial that may come with the commitment.” … (to use talents and advantages to be a witness to Jesus).” I choose to be obedient and practice self denial and humility. But I recognize the times I choose comfort instead of virtue. The key is to put service to others ahead of myself.