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The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
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JOYFUL MYSTERY: THE PRESENTATION
OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
Almost one year had passed since the Angel Gabriel’s message was given. Joseph and Mary’s lives suddenly changed from moment to moment. Mary prepared her way of the journey to go to her cousin Elizabeth, to help in Elizabeth’s pregnancy and recovery. Mary knew quite well that the journey was long and was aware of the hardships of a dangerous journey. But she was not in fear for she knew her Joy would always protect her.
Mary fulfilled helping her cousin and was again filled with joy to return to Nazareth. Joseph was eagerly building a home to share with her. When he greeted her, imagine his shock at seeing her already pregnant. He left her to go home, for sadness had completely overtaken him. In a dream he saw himself breaking off the engagement only to be filled with the brightness of light and the sound he heard of the angel’s voice:
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary, your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
Soon afterward, Emperor Caesar Augustus issued a decree that the whole world should be enrolled, each to his own town. Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. It was there, in a manger, Jesus was born. He was “Wonderful, Councilor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!” The “Whole World” came to kneel down and to worship Him! A newborn Savior, the King of Peace. I think you can be assured that the many
sacrifices make these three mysteries turn into the Joyful Mysteries.
Now, as we approach The Fourth Mystery, The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, we have a mix of ‘sweetness and sadness’ as told to us in the Gospel of Luke.
In those days, on the day of purification, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the Old Testament, “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.”
We definitely find JOY in the fact that Simeon, an old, righteous and devout man who was awaiting the consolation of Israel, had been instructed by the Holy Spirit that he should not encounter death before he had seen the Messiah. After waiting his entire long life, he saw Mary and Joseph bring the child Jesus into the temple to perform the custom of the law. Simeon 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, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.”
Both of Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was said about Him, and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “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.”
Mary pondered these words in her heart, and through the gift of the rosary we are able to share in these mysteries and ask our Blessed Mother to help us on our journey to heaven.
