The Fourth Joyful Mystery
The Purification of Our Lady and the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
1. Since the fall of our first parents, human mothers have carried in
their wombs souls dead to grace and have given birth to children stained
with sin. Therefore it is necessary for the waters of Baptism to confer
on these infants a second life, the supernatural life. A ceremony of
purification is also required for these mothers, a rite which was of
obligation under the Old Law, but under the New Law remains only as a
pious custom.
The Blessed Virgin was not subject to the rule of
sin. By a special privilege she was preserved free from the stain of
original sin and was created and conceived in the fullness of grace.
Moreover, she became a mother not by any human agency but by the power
of the Holy Spirit, which preserved intact her angelic virginity. For
this reason Mary was not bound by the Mosaic law which laid down the
ceremony of purification as necessary for all mothers. Nevertheless, in
order to give us an example of humility and of absolute obedience to the
law of God, she chose to fulfil this sacred rite.
How well do we
comply with the law of God, with the precepts of the Church, and with
the commands of our superiors who represent divine authority? Perhaps we
can excuse ourselves too easily from our obligations. Perhaps we are
not sufficiently ready to give good example to others. We may evade the
sacrifices which our duty demands of us, or we may fail to see God in
the person who gives us our instructions.
Let us learn from the
Blessed Virgin. Even when she was not obliged to do so, she obeyed the
law and gave us a wonderful example of humility and submission to
Almighty God.
2. Then Joseph and Mary carried the Infant Jesus to
the Temple to offer Him to God and to buy Him back as their first-born
son with the price paid by the poor, namely, with a pair of turtle-doves
or two young pigeons. Let us reflect on this new act of humility on the
part of the Holy Family. In spite of the supreme dignity which had been
accorded them, they submitted quietly to the law which bound those in
poverty and in sin. We who are so fond of money and of ostentation have
much to learn from this scene. Jesus, the God-Man, is purchased back as a
sinner for two young pigeons. Mary, the immaculate virgin and mother,
and Joseph, the holiest and noblest of men, make themselves subject to
the law of sin. We can derive from this lessons in humility and in
detachment.
3. During the ceremony a devout man, enlightened by
God, entered the temple. He asked and obtained the privilege of holding
the divine Infant in his arms. This was Simeon, a holy old man to whom
the Holy Spirit had revealed that before he died he would see the
expected Messiah, the Redeemer of the sinful human race. Overjoyed as he
held Jesus in his arms, he exclaimed: “Now thou dost dismiss thy
servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace.” (Luke 2:29)
May God grant that when we come to the end of our mortal lives we may
also have the pleasure of clasping Jesus to our hearts. Then we can say
with confidence in God’s mercy: Receive thy servant in peace, O Lord.
Forgive him and receive him into everlasting happiness.
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