Lesson 6 - Action

Scripture Passage - Luke

The Presentation in the Temple.

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him 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,”and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel,* and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:


“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Learning point

Joseph was completely silent in all scriptural passages in which he is mentioned. There is no canticle attributed to him contrary the examples of Mary, Zechariah and Simeon. Would we not love to hear what Joseph would have to say about his view of Jesus and Mary? All three of the canticles we have are part of the Liturgy of the Hours. Surely if Joseph had been given a voice, we would sing his canticle every day to celebrate his role. Instead all we know about Joseph is what he did and that is enough. What he did was to be a complete father to Jesus.