Fourth Joyful Mystery:
The Presentation


Forty days after Jesus' birth, St. Joseph and Our Lady brought Him to the Temple of Jerusalem and willingly made the offering of Him to God. They made the offering with faith and obedience to the Divine Law. There was at that time in Jerusalem a just man named Simeon. Led by the Spirit, he came that day to the temple, and seeing the Child brought in by His parents, he took Him in his arms and blessed God. Then he said to Mary: "Thy own heart shall be pierced with a sword."

FRUIT OF THE MYSTERY: OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW OF GOD AND PURITY OF BODY AND SOUL

Mary was without sin. Therefore, she needed no Purification. Nevertheless, she remained excluded from the Temple for forty days just as if she were an ordinary mother. She submitted to the law of purification which could in no way apply to the most pure Mother of God. She obeyed too the second precept: presenting her first-born son to God. She wished to give an example of obedience to the precepts of the law. Have you, like Mary, always observed God's Commandments? You too were presented to God in your Baptism. You ought to belong to Him, to love Him and serve Him.





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