From the Deacon's Desk

“Mary and Joseph took Jesus 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…” (Luke 2:22-23)

Why was it important that Jesus be presented to the Lord in the temple? It was necessary to reveal the complete nature of Jesus – both fully human and fully divine.

Mary and Joseph were obedient to Jewish law. Mosaic Law required that a first-born male child be presented in the temple 40 days after birth to be consecrated to God. This act highlighted the “fully human” nature of Jesus – being presented in the temple just as any other Jewish first born male child would be.

However, Simeon (“…my eyes have seen your salvation…”) and the prophetess Anna (“she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.”) were also in the temple that day. Both of them immediately recognized Jesus as the Messiah that had been promised – the fully divine Christ.

For Mary and Joseph, who believed what angels had told them even without full understanding – this was yet another epiphany, Christ being revealed right before their eyes.

Perhaps we are the same – believing, yet without full understanding. Open your eyes and your heart; Christ is being revealed to us each and every day. We must allow those moments to strengthen our faith.