6 October, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations For Each Day

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.