Subj : February 2nd - The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple To : All From : rich Date : Sat Feb 01 2020 08:13:40 From: rich February 2nd - The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple The Purification, or Candlemas The law of God, given by Moses to the Jews, ordained that after childbirth a woman should continue for a certain time in a state which that law calls unclean, during which time she was not to appear in public. This term was of forty days following the birth of a son, and double that time for a daughter. When the term expired, the mother was to bring to the Temple a lamb and a young pigeon or turtle-dove, as an offering to God. These being sacrificed to Almighty God by the priest, she was cleansed of the legal impurity and reinstated in her former privileges. A dove was required of all as a sin-offering, whether rich or poor; but as the expense of a lamb might be too great for the poor, these were allowed to substitute for it a second dove. Such was the case, Scripture tells us, for the Holy Family. (Luke 2:24) Our Saviour having been conceived by the Holy Ghost, and His Blessed Mother remaining always a spotless virgin, it is evident that She was not subject to the law of purification, but devotion and zeal to honor God by every observance prescribed by His law, prompted Mary to perform this act of religion. Besides the law which obliged the mother to purify herself, there was another which required that the first-born son be offered to God, and that after his presentation the child be ransomed with a certain sum of money, and specific sacrifices offered on the occasion. Mary complied exactly with all these ordinances. She obeyed not only in the essential points of the law, but had strict regard to all the circumstances. On the day of Her purification She walked several miles to Jerusalem, with the world's Redeemer in Her arms. She waited for the priest at the gate of the Temple, made Her offerings of thanksgiving and expiation, and with the most profound humility, adoration and thanksgiving, presented Her divine Son, by the hands of the priest, to His Eternal Father. She then redeemed Him with five shekels, as the law appoints, and received Him back again as a sacred charge committed to Her special care, until the Father would again demand Him for the full accomplishment of man's redemption. The ceremony of this day closed in a third mystery =E2=80=94 the meeting in the Temple of the holy prophets Simeon and Anne with the Divine Infant and His parents. Saint Simeon, on that occasion, received into his arms the object of all his desires and sighs, and praised God for the happiness of beholding the much-longed-for Messiah. He foretold to Mary Her martyrdom of sorrow, and that Jesus would bring redemption to those who would accept it on the terms it was offered, but a heavy judgment on all who would obstinately reject it. Mary, hearing this terrible prediction, courageously and sweetly committed all to God'= s holy Will. Simeon, having beheld Our Saviour, exclaimed: =E2=80=9CNow Thou canst dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, in peace, according to Thy word, because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.=E2=80=9D The aged prophetess Ann= e, who had served God with great fervor during her long widowhood, also had the happiness of recognizing and adoring the Redeemer of the world. This feast is called Candlemas, because the Church blesses the candles to be borne in the procession of the day. Reflection. Let us strive to imitate the humility of the ever-blessed Mother of God, remembering that humility is the path which leads to lasting peace and brings us closer to God, who gives His grace to the humble. Bible Quote But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Tim 3:15) DRB <><><><> Jesus is Presented in the Temple O Jesus, born of Virgin bright, Immortal glory be to Thee, Praise to the Father, infinite, And Holy Ghost eternally. Consideration: Consider that the Virgin Mary, forty days after the birth of the Infant Jesus, carries Him in Her arms to the Temple, and, offering Him to God for us, consents that by His Passion and death He should become our Redeemer. Affections: O most loving Infant, for this one end didst Thou deliver thyself up to death to bestow on me eternal life. I give Thee thanks, and pray Thee, by this offering of thyself, to make me constantly ready to mortify and die to myself fort he love of Thee. O my sweetest love, I am sorry that I have offended Thee. I desire always to be faithful in Thy service: enkindle in me Thy love; make me chaste and holy. O Mary, grant that I may belong entirely to thee and to thy Son Jesus. Hail Mary, etc.. Glory Be, etc.. V. Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal Father. R. And blessed are the breasts which gave suck to Christ our Lord. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .