Meditations on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary - Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

Present God’s gift at the temple
as Mary and Joseph did Jesus,
and then ransom it back
with your faith and your obedience
to His Holy Will for you.

Go to Mass. Learn about this Jesus,
whom we’ve been called to love and
who loves us without condition.
Be fed with His Body and Blood
that you might become one with Him,
blessed and sanctified, from the inside out.

St. Simeon was called by the Holy Spirit
to be there that day at the temple.
He recognized Jesus, and exalted God.

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant
in peace, according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence
of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
(NRSV Luke 2:29-32)

He told Mary and Joseph about Jesus,
about His destiny,
about how He would be opposed.

“This child is destined for the falling
and the rising of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be opposed
so that the inner thoughts of many
will be revealed—and a sword will pierce
your own soul too.”
(NRSV Luke 2:34-35)

Simeon speaks to us, as he did to Mary,
as he tells us our hearts, too, will be pierced.

As we share Christ with others,
only to have them reject Him and us,
our hearts, too, will break with sorrow.

As Mary watched others’ reactions
to her Son, Our Lord,
she saw not only their rejoicing,
but their rejection of him,
their fear and selfishness.
She saw how deaf they were to God’s call
to them through Our Jesus.

Yet, we must confirm Your gift, Oh Lord,
with our acceptance
and cooperation
and perseverance,
even unto death.

As we go forth, strengthen us and prepare us
for all the trials and tribulations
and the piercing pain,
which we will surely witness
and endure from those who do not know You.

***

Yet, we must confirm Your gift, Oh Lord,
with our acceptance and cooperation
and perseverance, even unto death.

***

Yet, like Anna, encourage us to go
and to tell other believers about our Jesus,
others who want to believe,
others who are seeking redemption,
that their faith and goodness
might also be strengthened
with renewed hope in Our Lord.

*******

Thanks to all who joined me on this journey, as we walk with Jesus and His Mother.

I hope along the way you’ll be inspired to ask others to join with us in reflecting on these meditations. As they each publish, these meditations can be found at my Rosary Meditations Library. If you follow my blog (which I hope you will!), you will receive email alerts whenever I blog. The Meditations Library has some additional resources that you may find helpful, including a publication schedule for future meditations.

The Bible readings most associated with each mystery will eventually be added to the Library for each set of mysteries. And, I suggest the mechanics of how I pray with these meditations.

You can also find me at Walking With My Brother at Substack, which allows people to subscribe and contribute to the writing they value. Be assured, you will always be able to subscribe for free. If any of you wishes to show your appreciation, I will pass all funds received on to renovation efforts of St. Mary’s of the Seven Sorrows, the oldest church still standing in Nashville, TN. Located in downtown, St. Mary’s is a precious historical gift to Nashville natives and visitors, alike. Unfortunately, its physical condition is in dire need of major renovation and repair. It would be an honor to pass along any contributions we receive to aid in sustaining this bit of church history in Nashville.

No matter where you manage to find me online, I hope you will drop me a line at maryadrienne2013@gmail.com and let me know you’re there. I would love to include you in my prayers and ask that you offer a prayer for me, too, as together, we honor our Holy Mother and her Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Next up is the Joyful Mystery of Finding Jesus in the Temple. It will publish on Monday, December 18.

Until then, I pray our Lord surrounds you in His peace, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.