The Fourth Joyful Mystery
The Presentation of the Child Jesus
By May/June 2009
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Gift of God
“...they took the child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord: ‘Every firstborn male is to be dedicated to the Lord.’” Luke 2:22-23
Reflection
Mary and Joseph feel pride at being able to comply with the Jewish tradition of offering their firstborn male to the Lord. They name him Jesus, Yeshuah, which means “God saves.” In the temple, they encounter the elderly Simeon and Anna. Both are overjoyed at seeing the newborn child. Mary and Joseph feel astonishment and fear at Simeon’s words (Luke 2:34-35): “This child is chosen by God for the destruction and salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God which many people will speak against and so reveal their secret thoughts.” Mary in particular feels dread at Simeon’s prediction: “…and sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart.” What suffering will this involve? Who will her son Jesus become? What division will he cause?
Today many couples take their infant child to be baptised in the Church. This is a way of presenting their child to the Lord. There are other offerings we can make to God. Do I consider my life as a gift to be returned to God? Do we see God’s creation, the Earth and its creatures, as a gift to be valued?
Mary received Simeon’s chilling words of future suffering. What swords have pierced my heart? Can I see my suffering in terms of Jesus’ suffering? How can I help alleviate the suffering of others?
Mission Call
As missionaries we are called to offer ourselves as a gift to God in service to others. We also have the mission of inviting others to see themselves as a gift to God. In our mission work, we are aware of the elderly, people like Simeon and Anna. We accompany Third Age groups. We learn, too, about the swords that pierce people’s hearts when touched by tragedy. As missionaries, we strive to understand the many divisions in society, particularly between those who exploit others and those who seek justice.
In recent years, we have become aware that our planet Earth is threatened by our abuse of its resources. Eco-theologians urge us to respect this Garden of Eden that God has given to us, so that Earth will be able to sustain future life.
As we pray this decade of the rosary, let us ask God for the grace to have a deeper understanding of ourselves as an offering to God. Let us pray for the elderly. Let us pray for the healing of divisions in our society. Let us pray for our planet.
Amazon Word
In Fox Leg village, a Makuxi community, I am amazed at the elderly lay leaders who often preach and lead prayers in Makuxi. They are illiterate. João, a community elder, sits beside me during Mass holding a Bible full of pictures of classical paintings. He identifies the picture associated with the readings. Mariana, another community elder, stands before the people and speaks about God’s Word, a rosary around her neck. The witness of these community elders underlines for me that God’s Word is essentially a living word.
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