The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

The joy in the heart of Mary and Joseph and the joy of God the Father at the moment of the Presentation of the Infant Child Jesus in the Temple had to have been incredible. Here, for the very first time since the dawn of the creation of human beings, a Perfect Humanity was given back to God, presented to Him in an act of worship.

It could have been an action that went unnoticed, just a young couple showing up at the Temple as expected by the Law. Instead, it proved to be a moment of completion, fulfillment and prophecy of consummation. The parents presented the Son of God, having accepted Him into their lives, now responding to the dictates of the Law. The just man Joseph and the sinless, immaculately conceived Virgin Mary, presented to God His own capstone, the Son of God and Son of Mary, accepted as the foster but full Son of Joseph, and so Son of David--the Messiah promised to the Anawim, the Poor in Spirit who longed for the consolation of Jerusalem. At this precise time, two unique persons caught a glimpse of the glory in the Child.

Simeon, moved by the Spirit, experiences his last and greatest encounter with the Living God, speaks a prophetic word to Mary's heart, and praises God for the Gift that he sees, the Light to the Nations and the Glory of Israel. Anna, a prophetess in her own right, there at that moment because she was always there, sees and knows and speaks of that joy to all who would listen. The parents marvel at the effect of their Child even before He Who Is the Word of God speaks His first Word--Abba.

There is a hint of the Suffering that will be born by this Perfect Human Nature. Already, Mary's heart is pierced by Simeon's prophecy of division occasioned by the Presence of Jesus and of her sharing in that in her own way. How sad Joseph must have been to see the hint of this in Mary's eyes, knowing that he could not protect her from such pain. Pondering in her heart, Mary would find the strength and courage to accept this reality as part of her Yes, the Fiat already spoken.

We can all share in the giving of humanity back to God. That is the one thing we are capable of doing through an act of the will and an attitude of worship. Husbands and Wives can do this for one another. Parents can do it for their children as they bring them to the Sacraments. All who are baptized may renew their self-gift each time they call to mind their Baptism and respond to the grace of the other Sacraments they encounter.

We see that Jesus followed the example of His earthly parents in His willingness to give up His humanity to us -- both on the Cross and through His enduring Eucharistic Presence.

May we come to know the joy of giving all we are and all we possess back to God, and so come to know the power of the Spirit Who stretches us toward that Perfect Humanity that Is in Jesus Christ.