The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple: Mary and Simeon
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Mary and Simeon
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22-38) is one of the richest episodes of the infancy of Jesus for Mariology. Here Mary and Joseph fulfill the Law of Moses and meet two prophets, Simeon and Anna, who recognize in Jesus the awaited Messiah.
The Nunc Dimittis and the Prophecy of Simeon
Simeon, moved by the Holy Spirit, takes Jesus into his arms and sings the Nunc Dimittis: “Now, Lord, you let your servant depart in peace.” He then turns to Mary with a prophecy that is at once of joy and of sorrow: “A sword shall pierce your soul.” This prophecy is the origin of the devotion to the Sorrows of Mary.
Mary as Offerer
Theological tradition has seen in the Presentation a prefiguration of the sacrifice of Calvary: Mary offers her Son to the Father in an attitude that anticipates her consent to the Passion. This parallel between the Temple and Golgotha sheds light on the figure of Mary as Coredemptrix.
The Feast of Candlemas
The Presentation of Jesus is celebrated on February 2 (40 days after Christmas), with the blessing of candles, hence the popular name Candlemas. The candle is a symbol of Christ, the light of the nations, as Simeon sang. It is also the Day of Consecrated Life, chosen by John Paul II to celebrate consecrated persons who “present” themselves to the Lord as Jesus was presented in the Temple.
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Magisterium of the Church
Et postquam impleti sunt dies purgationis eius secundum legem Moysi, tulerunt illum in Hierusalem ut sisterent eum Domino… et ut darent hostiam secundum quod dictum est in lege Domini.
Luke 2:22, 24 (Vulgata Clementina)
📚 Literal translation: And when the days of her purification were fulfilled according to the law of Moses, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord… and to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord.
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This article grows out of the works in the Locus Mariologicus library. The Postgraduate Program in Mariology takes you to the same source, with academic guidance: Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, and the Magisterium, from the first dogma to contemporary questions.
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