Presentation of Jesus in the temple, let’s reflect on the bible passage 

Luke 2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

The holy family, as everyone knows, was in Bethlehem, where the Almighty God, Jesus, was born in a manger. After eight days, they traveled to Jerusalem so that Jesus might be purified. The family’s initial home is the northern Israelite city of Nazareth. Though the trip to Nazareth is lengthy, Jerusalem and Bethlehem are closer together in the southern region. 

Leviticus 12:1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel, saying: If a woman conceives and bears a male child, she shall be ceremonially unclean seven days; as at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 

One of the unique characteristics of the Holy Family is that, although Joseph had sin, he was entirely holy and righteous, and neither Mary nor Jesus had any original sin. They may have said that since God is among us, “we don’t require any of these rituals, practices to be followed.” They chose to adhere to all of the rites prescribed by the Law of Moses out of humility. 

Even if we have many reasons to justify particular rites in our faith, we should adhere to them without exception. Daily mass attendance is encouraged, but Sunday mass attendance is necessary. We attend mass, to receive the Holy Eucharist and be united to Christ.

Why did Jesus consent to the purification rite? Because He entered the earth in order to reveal himself as a sinner who was just like the rest of us. In addition, he stood before John the Baptist to be baptised as a sinner. In order to fulfill all righteousness, baptism had to take place.

Luke 2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”)

Exodus 13:1-4 The Lord said to Moses: Consecrate to me all the firstborn; whatever is the first to open the womb among the Israelites, of human beings and animals, is mine.”

The first born is a title, the child should be entrusted to God. Everything first born, belongs to God, the Father. In the same way that Abraham was asked to give his first born. It is customary in Jewish tradition, for the child to be given to the priest; who will bless the child and return it back to the parents. An animal, such as a lamb, dove, or turtle, is presented and sacrificed in place of the child. By doing this, we are redeeming the child as a substitution. 

Leviticus 12:6,8 When the days of her purification are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb in its first year for a burnt-offering, and a pigeon or a turtle-dove for a sin-offering. If she cannot afford a sheep, she shall take two turtle-doves or two pigeons, one for a burnt-offering and the other for a sin-offering; and the priest shall make atonement on her behalf, and she shall be clean.

Luke 2:24 And they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

This implies that the holy family could not afford to buy a sheep but instead they could either buy the turtledoves or two young pigeons, after which the purification process was complete for Mother Mary. 

When Jesus came, he was the first born of God, of his parents and He is offered in the temple and was not redeemed back through any substitution but offered himself once and for all by dying on the cross and we all are redeemed. Hence they practise does not have to be repeated after the crucifixion of Jesus.

After the Presention in the temple, the holy family went back to Bethlehem and were living in a house for about two years. One of the reason they didn’t go back to Nazareth because they did not want to give an impression to the locals that Mother Mary gave birth before her time. It’s true that Jesus was born in a manger but later when they went back to Bethlehem they lived in a house.

How do we know that the holy family lived in a house? Let’s read the below passages. 

Matthew 2:9-16 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped,g they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.

Here, the wise men came to visit and honour Jesus in a house and gave lots of gifts.  The provisions of God came to the family and they became rich as they had to flee to Egypt. God knew they would have to serach for home in an unknown land, where there would be no one to help them. Let us trust in the Lord and He will provide us. 

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. 

Provisions and security was assured to the holy family because they trusted in the Lord. Let us also trust in the Lord without complaining, and live our life with thanksgiving – today is our decision, tomorrow is his decision, and he will provide.

Transcribed by Durriya Alphonso