“… filled with the Holy Spirit, [Stephen] looked up intently to Heaven and … said, ‘Behold, I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the Right Hand of God.’ … they … began to stone him. … As they were stoning Stephen, he called out ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Mass Readings 12.28.14 — SIR 3:2-6, 12-14 or GN 15:1-6; 21:1-3 — PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 — PS 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 — COL 3:12-21 — COL 3:12-17 — HEB 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 — LK 2:22-40 or LK 2:22, 39-40
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GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-40 or Luke 2:22, 39-40
In today’s Gospel we encounter the Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the temple. This event also is the Fourth Joyful Mystery of the Most Holy Rosary.
Mary and Joseph take the Infant Jesus to the temple in keeping with what was a Jewish required custom of presenting and consecrating male newborns to the Lord, making an offering of two turtledoves or pigeons.
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.
In this instance, of course, they are “presenting” the Son of God to God the Father, with God the Holy Spirit also involved.
While in the temple, they encounter elderly, holy, devout persons named Simeon and Anna, who show up, seemingly out of nowhere, to bear witness to Jesus’ as the Messiah.
Simeon has the Holy Spirit upon him, Who has let him know that he will not die until he has seen the Christ. Coming “in the Spirit,” he bears witness to Jesus.
He came in the Spirit into the temple … when the parents brought in the Child Jesus … [Simeon] took Him into his arms and blessed God, saying: ‘Now, Master, You may let your servant go in peace, according to Your Word, for my eyes have seen Your Salvation, which You prepared in sight of all the peoples, a Light for Revelation to the Gentiles, and Glory for Your People Israel.’
The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said … Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘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.’
Anna is referred to by the Gospel as a prophetess. She is a widow in her eighties who is constantly in the temple.
Like Simeon, she bears witness to Christ, giving thanks to God.
And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were awaiting the Redemption of Jerusalem.
After Mary and Joseph fulfill the requirements of Jewish law, they return with the Infant Jesus to Nazareth in Galilee.
We then encounter the sum of what the Gospel tells us about the childhood of Jesus, not hearing more about Him until He is twelve and will try to remain in the temple. Here, the Gospel tells us that Jesus grows and becomes strong, filled with Wisdom, with God’s Favor upon Him.
The Child grew and became strong, filled with Wisdom; and the Favor of God was upon Him.
