There was one old man named Simeon whose faith and belief in the coming of the Messias was still true. This prayer of Simeon is one of three canticles in the New Testament. There was also in the Temple when Mary went there with Joseph to present Jesus to His Eternal Father as God made man, a saintly old woman, a widow, named Anna, a prophetess, who was eighty-four years old.
She went around the Temple and told all the Jewish women there what had happened, and Who had come to the Temple at last. Presentation in the Temple by Andrea Mantegna Site development: Bonaventure. This prophecy reminds us that Mary is always to be associated with the destiny of Jesus, the one solitary partner of His lot, singled out to suffer with Him.
Heresies that pierced the Son have transpierced the Mother. The Church of Jerusalem was the first to celebrate the feast. On this day, also, a procession was held to the Constantinian basilica. This feast reminds us how intimately Mary is associated with her Son in the work of Redemption. Defenders of Christendom Battles - Honor - Miracles! This book is filled with amazing stories of little-known Catholic heroes presenting spectacles of bravery and valor never exceeded in all the annals of history.
Why did not Mary offer a lamb as did the rich, Lev. Because she was poor, and was not ashamed to appear as such before the world. Mary loved humility and the poverty connected with it. Be not ashamed, therefore, if thou art poor, love poverty the more; but if rich, be poor in spirit, and love the poor and distressed. How did it come to pass that Simeon met the Saviour in the temple? Because he was a pious and faithful servant of God, it had been promised him that he should not die, until he had seen the Saviour.
When Jesus was brought into the temple, Simeon was inspired by God to go there also, and when he found Jesus there, he by divine inspiration knew Him to be the Messiah, and gave testimony of Him.
See how God rewards those who sincerely love and serve Him, giving Himself to them to be known always more and more! Why was Simeon ready to die when he had held Jesus in his arms? Because his wish was fulfilled; for since he had not only seen with his own eyes, but had held in his arms the Desired of all nations, for whom the patriarchs had so vainly longed, what more could he wish than to leave this miserable world, and commend his spirit into the hands of his Saviour?
Why did Simeon call Jesus a light for the revelation of the Gentiles? Because Jesus had come into the world as the true light, John I. Behold, He is this day offered to Thee in the temple for the sins of His brethren.
Let this offering please Thee, and move Thee to have compassion on us sinners. In consideration of His humility and obedience, forgive us our pride and disobedience, and grant us, that purified by His blood, we may one day, having like Simeon departed this life in peace, behold Thee as the eternal Light which shall never be extinguished in the temple of Thy glory, be presented to Thee by Mary, our beloved Mother, and love and praise Thee forever.
In the Jewish law Lev. This law does not, it is true, apply to Christian women, because the Church has abolished the Jewish ceremonies: but the Church, nevertheless, permits them to remain absent from church for six weeks, or so long as circumstances may require, after the birth of a child, in order to take care of their health. This should be remembered by husbands, who should see that their wives have the necessary quiet and attendance which nature requires for recovery after the birth of a child.
The Church desires that at the end of this time the mother, following Mary's example, should resort to the church to obtain the blessing of the priest, thank God for her delivery, offer the child to God, praying with the priest for the grace to bring up her offspring in sanctity and piety. This comprises the Churching of women, which is a very old and praiseworthy custom and should not be neglected.
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