The presentation of Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem is an early event in the life of Jesus, wherein He was officially inducted in Judaism.
As it was the custom in their religion that the new born should be presented to the Lord in the temple, Joseph a staunch believer and a devout person who followed Law of Moses to the core, went to the temple along with baby Jesus and Mother Mary. As per the custom then, and the rule book, one had to carry along with them the offering animal for sacrifice, namely LAMB, TURTLE DOVES or PIGEONS, depending on one’s capacity or the financial condition. As you all know, they carried two turtle doves for the sacrifice.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, to be officially inducted in Judaism, is well described in the Gospel of Luke. Luke’s narration of the Presentation in the temple combines with the Purification rite with the Jewish ceremony of the redemption of the First born (Lk 2, 23-24). Presentation of Jesus is also reflected in the 4th JOYFUL Mystery of the Holy Rosary.
The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple is exactly 40 days after the birth i.e. after 25th December. In this case it is on 2nd February. It is also called the Purification day. Purifying the person, for that matter any person, who comes in contact with blood. May be birth, death or even an accident. One had to be purified by offering the sacrifice as per the condition.
The purification of Mother Mary after child birth had to be performed. As Joseph, a true disciplinarian went ahead to perform the redemption of the first born in obedience to the TORAH (Levi 12, Ex 13, 12-15).
Upon bringing Jesus into the temple they encountered the Righteous man SIMEON. The Gospel records that Simeon had been promised that he would not see death before he had seen the lord (JESUS). Simeon took BABY JESUS in his hands, held him close to him and uttered the prayer that would become known as NUNC DIMITTIS or Canticle of SIMEON which prophesized the redemption of the world by JESUS.
“LORD now let your servant depart in Peace according to your word for my eyes have seen your salvation”. SIMEON then prophesized to Mary “Behold this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel”.
The elderly prophetess ANNA was also in the temple during this time as she offered prayers and praised God for Jesus and spoke to everyone there of His importance to redemption in Jerusalem.
In the Roman Catholic Church it is known as Presentation of the Lord; in the liturgical books first issued by Pope Paul VI, and the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After the liturgical revisions of Second Vatican Council with reference to candles and the purification of Mary, de-emphasized in favour of the Prophecy of SIMEON the righteous.
St. POPE JOHN PAUL II in 1997 connected the feast day of 2nd February with the renewal of RELIGIOUS VOWS.
Rosarito Coelho