The Infant Christ has come into the world to establish a new Kingdom, grounded in the law of the New Covenant. He begins, with the help of his devout parents, with an act of compliance with the Old Covenant. For the benefit of the community and the world, the prophets Anna and Simeon participate by bearing witness.

The biblical mystery of Christ’s presentation in the Temple offers ground for reflection on the CST principles of the call to family life and participation in the community, and the virtues of prayer and humility.

Scriptural Reference

Luke 2:21-40(Catholic RSV) (note 1):

At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

CST Reflection

Joseph and Mary, having been selected by God to serve as parents in bringing Christ into the world, maintain faithful devotion to the observance of Mosaic Law: Jesus is brought promptly to the great Temple in Jerusalem for presentation, as His mother’s first-born male child, to God His Almighty Father.

The Lord chooses this moment to lay the cornerstone of the New Law on the foundation of the Old. As Christ explains later, he has come not to abolish the law or the prophets, but to fulfil them. (2)

Thus, the primacy of the family and of public participation in the community (the church) are among the first terms of the New Covenant to be emphasized in Christ’s mission of renewal.

The Lord chose to come to us through a family. The Presentation in the Temple offers us a look into the type of family he chose – humble, faithful, and obedient. We see the young, Holy Family participating in their community by following Mosaic Law faithfully. This faithful participation sets the stage for the Lord to work in other members of the community, namely Simeon and Anna. The prophet and prophetess immediately recognize the Messiah by his mere presence, though just an infant, thus making way for Simeon and Anna to be fulfilled as prophets and teachers for the benefit of their community, and for all of humanity.

• In what ways can our families participate in our own communities for the common good?

Additionally, the scene in the Temple offers us a look into the lives of a young Joseph and Mary. Though likely filled with a mix of excitement and intense joy alongside anxiety, overwhelm, and exhaustion, the young parents model perfect devotion and obedience to God by following the Mosaic Law of purification and redemption. Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph bring "a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons" as an offering, an option for those who couldn't afford a lamb. These details give us a glimpse into the lowliness of Joseph and Mary. It is through the virtue of humility that the Holy Family obediently approaches God in the Temple.

• How can we foster the virtue of humility in our own families?

Fruits of the Mystery

Mother Mary, we pray in the name of your divine Son that by reflecting upon and following His example of pious devotion and humble participation through family and communal compliance with the law of the Covenant, we might lead others toward acceptance of the shared social values God has taught to us. Please pray with us, your children.

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By Matthew Marquardt and Jane Fawcett

Credits / Notes 

1 Scriptural Reference:  https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/r/rsv/rsv-idx?type=DIV1&byte=4782437

2 Matthew 5:17