There is Something About Mary Series – How Well Do You Trust God’s Promises?

Ponder:  Who do you cling to when you do not understand or when answers are slow in coming?

After the opening prayers of the rosary, we announce the first mystery and read the relevant Scripture passage slowly with attention, a lectino divina style of praying the scriptures.  Pause for a few moments of silence and then recite the indicated prayers (#5 below) while meditating on that mystery.  You may make a prayer request at the beginning of each decade or offer a Hail Mary for a specific person. 

Pray:  The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation. 

Jesus is presented in the Temple.  The fruit of the mystery: Obedience.

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. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he 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, light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and 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.” (Luke 2:22-35)

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, who you presented in the Temple.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Pray for us Mary, cause of our joy, that we may wholeheartedly obey Christ and His Church. 

Amen

Reflect:   At the temple, Israel was most itself and most in touch with its mission to the worship of the true God to the whole world.  But the sins of the nation had caused the glory of the Lord to depart from the temple.  Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, dedicating him to God according to the Jewish custom and fulfilling the prophecy of Ezekiel.  The glory of the Lord has returned to his temple.   As Jesus was presented a man named Simeon said something astounding, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:29-30). Have you ever waited for something with great anticipation? Did you wait patiently? What are you waiting for in your life right now? Simeon had waited. He had waited patiently and prayed patiently for the savior. Now, he took baby Jesus in his arms. Imagine the emotion as he pulled the child to his chest. His face filled with a strange combination of joy and anguish. Joy for the present, anguish for the future he knows the child will face.

Act:  I will acknowledge God is with me here and now even if I don’t feel your presence.