THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD IN GOD'S TEMPLE.............

In observance of the Mosaic Law, of which Mary and Joseph were loyal adherents, on the fortieth day after the birth of a Jewish man-child , a mother was to bring her son to the Temple before her Purification, to present him to God.  The mother was required to bring a lamb for holocaust, and a turtledove or pigeon, as a sin offering.  If circumstances did not allow the mother to bring a lamb, she could substitute it with two turtledoves / pigeons.  This is exactly what Mary as the Christ Child's mother, and Joseph her husband and his foster father were doing, prescribing with the Law as written of in Leviticus 12:2-8; in the Hebrew Scriptures.  That is why today On this 40th day following Christmas Day, we celebrate in Catholic-Christianity the liturgical feast of the Presentation of the Lord.   Since the 11th Century of Christianity the commemoration of this day includes the Blessing of Candles used in Church prayer, worship, and ministry, throughout the year ahead.  Those blessed candles represent and signify the Light of Jesus The Christ, the Light of the World.  As Mary the Mother of God fulfilled the precept of the Mosaic Law by the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, dedicating her first born son in the Temple in accordance with the Book of Numbers 18:15; and encountered Simeon the Just, in the presence of Anna the Prophetess, as written of in Luke 2:22; which is the first and formal introduction of Jesus into God's House, and the Church of Jerusalem; so too, may we the People of God who are the Disciples of Jesus and members of the Body of Christ, the Universal Church in the World, Present the Lord to others by our Faith, Fidelity to Gospel Values, and Sharing of His Holy, Redeeming, Light - that is the fulfilling Light of the World and our Salvation.............Fr.  Troy