Feb. 2 - Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

What a “sweet” yet sobering Feast-day we celebrate today! There is both the sweet picture of the humility of the Holy Family, entering the temple and the sober words the aged Simeon speaks to Mary:
“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.” ( Today’s Gospel Lk 2: 22 - 40)
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Mary, Mother and Model for the Church continues to intercede for her children. As Jesus was pierced with a sword physically on Calvary, so Mary’s heart was pierced spiritually. God’s mysteries are deep and so we need to listen prayerfully to His Words in Scripture.

May He increase in us the Supernatural gifts of Faith, Hope and Divine Charity, infused into our hearts at Baptism as well as increasing in us the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge , piety and of fear of the LORD.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Jesus, we trust in You, Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us.
 
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The words of Scripture here are so powerful. I am surprised there isn’t more emphasis on the Feast of the Presentation or more churches named.

I can’t imagine how Protestants deal with the words to Mary in terms of her unique role for Christians.
 
Dear Commenter,

Thanks for your reply and for your “heart” which lets us know you “liked” what you read.

Yes! – a million times Yes! The words of Scripture are so powerful! It is a surprise to me that more of us do not ponder God’s word as the Gospel tells us that Mary did, reflecting on all in her heart. (cf Lk 2: 19, and Lk 2: 51)

Sadly, many Protestants do not “hear” All the Truth the Holy Spirit was sent to bring the Church into – as Jesus promised (cf Jn 16:13). The Church of today has many people who have grown “hard of hearing” as well, but there will always be a remnant devoted to God’s Word as Mary gives us example.

Please let us continue to pray with Mary for the Church and for one another, and all those in most need of God’s Mercy.
 
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Dear Stephie,

Thanks for your “heart” and for your continuing love for Jesus through Mary. It is such a sweet picture for me to “see by faith” as I hear the opening words of today’s Gospel:
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.
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How humbly Mary and Joseph brought the Child Jesus into His Father’s temple, and offered “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord! (cf Lk 2: 22 -24). I cannot help but remember, Jesus’ words:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…"(Mt 5:3)

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours…"(Lk 6:20)
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The Holy Family is an example for all the families of the world but how many are seeking the Kingdom of God as Jesus preached in His Sermon on the Mount? (cf Mt. 6: 24 - 34)

Come Holy Spirit bring us into the fullness of Truth – Jesus who is our Way, our Truth and our Life! Jesus, we trust in You! Mary, Mother of the Church, Mother of the Incarnate Son of God, pray for us.
St. Joseph, Protector of Mary and the Child Jesus, pray for us.
 
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Thank you for this post.

I just ended my daily Rosary and the meditation, (that the application that I use to help me focus when praying my Rosary), spoke of praying for spiritual discernment - for the ability to discern between all the voices that are present in today’s society, to discern that one voice that is the voice of the Lord.
May He increase in us the Supernatural gifts of Faith, Hope and Divine Charity, infused into our hearts at Baptism as well as increasing in us the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge , piety and of fear of the LORD.
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I am one of those people who, I suppose, is searching. While your entire post is thought provoking, this part spoke to that discernment piece that I was left thinking about when my meditation was finished.

(so, again, thank you)
 
From vespers for the feast, yesterday…
Eastern Rite…

Adorn your bridal chamber, O Zion,
and welcome Christ the King.
Welcome Mary, the gate of heaven,
for she has appeared as a cherubic throne on which the King of Glory is seated.
Indeed, the Virgin has become a cloud of light,
bearing in her arms the eternal Son.
Simeon received Him in his arms
and proclaimed to the people
that He is the Master,
the Master of life and death,
and the Saviour of the world.

The all-pure Mother
carried into the Temple
the One who comes forth from the Father in all eternity
and from the womb of a Virgin in time.
The Lawmaker of Mount Sinai
submits to the Law
and is presented to the elderly and holy one
so that he may see the Promised One.
When Simeon received Him in his arms, he joyfully cried out:
This is God, coeternal with the Father,
and the Saviour of our souls.

The Ancient of Days, who of old gave the Law to Moses on Sinai
appears this day as an infant.
The Creator of the Law fulfills the Law.
He is brought into the temple and is given over to the elder.
The just Simeon receives Him
and, beholding the fulfillment of the divine promise, joyfully cries out:
My eyes have seen the mystery hidden from all eternity.
It has been revealed in these latter days.
The Light has radiated the darkness of the unbelieving Gentiles
and gives glory to the newly chosen Israel.
Therefore, let your servant depart from the bonds of this flesh
to the wondrous unending life that knows no age.
And we pray You to grand great mercy
to the world.
 
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This is my favorite painting of the Presentation. I love the look on the faces of the men Anna is introducing to the child Jesus.
 
My favorites is by Giotto:
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From the Homily of our Bishop:
Here we have a very inspirational scene
made up of humble ppl, who are DESPISED
in the eyes of TODAY’S World, a poor family
newly-weds, a baby and two elderly misfits,
who are so heavenly real, they are virtually
no Earthly good!! Yet God made it an important
Scene in the life of the Church!!
 
Dear KBS,

Thanks for your reply and also for your “heart” – both indicating that – you liked what you read. Discernment is very important , and you may be helped in reading some excellent authors, such as “Spiritual Theology” by Fr. Jordan Aumann, OP. , and Fr. Reginald Garrigou Lagrange, OP in his book “Christian Perfection and Contemplation”. Both authors connect discernment with the Supernatural Gift of Counsel.

St. Catherine of Siena refers to Discernment as “Holy Discretion”. St. Thomas Aquinas also give much help in his “Summa”. There is so much wisdom in the writings of the Saints!

Many of these works are online. May Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom intercede for you as you search for God’s Truth given to us by the Holy Spirit sent by the Father and Son to the Church!
 
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commenter said:
I am surprised there isn’t more emphasis on the Feast of the Presentation or more churches named.
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It’s one of the 12 Great Feasts in both the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches.

ZP
 
Dear Mark, patricius, and graciew,

I think I’ve acknowledged everyone who read my original post and offered a reply, either with a “heart” or with a written comment or picture. I either returned a “heart” or a comment, except for your 3 “hearts”, which I saw this morning. Thank you all for “liking” the post and for your love of Jesus through Mary in sharing your “heart”.

May the Holy Spirit continue to fill the hearts of His Faithful and kindle in us the Fire of His Love.
 
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