The Woman At The Well

“And when the time came for their purification…they went to present him to the Lord…(Lk2:22)

The presentation of the Lord in the temple offers one much thought. Edward Sri, The Dawn of the Messiah, pp 83-97 gives a full picture of the event. We can look at the presentation from different perspectives.

From the aged Simeon and Anna, waiting long for the Messiah, they represent the people of Israel; a nation waiting for the presence of the Lord once again in the temple. He is the “console” of Israel. Their prayers have been answered; their work comes to an end. Christ comes to the prophets, to the priests, to the nation, to the world.

Mary, the mother, the ark of the covenant, realizes fully the reality of her “yes”. Her annunciation continues; it entails suffering, blood, and death for her babe. Why? It is for ALL men; her motherhood extends to all humanity. She offers her babe as the perfect sacrifice to the Father for humanity. It is the harshest reality for a mother; her lamb will be the sacrificial lamb for the world.

Christ’s reality is as a babe. He senses the older, rougher hands of Simeon, rather than the loving arms of His mother. As divine, He always is aware of the future violent arms of His persecutors, whom He will encounter in His mission.

Joseph to, begins to sense “the glory of the Lord” in his adopted son. He as one of the kingly family of David understands his mission as model father will be preparing Jesus with his love, his work, his word. He will be protector, surrounding Jesus and Mary with love, giving them security in a world of violence and harm.

For man, where do we see ourselves in this tableau? Do we present our babe to the Lord in baptism, accepting whatever role He has in mind for our beloved ones? Are we reminded of our holy roles in our children’s lives: roles as holy parents in a holy family? Do we understand our suffering is but a preparation for Good Friday? Do we wish good things not for just our children, but for ALL children of the world? Do we too “long to see the glory of the Lord?