Meditation / Contemplation on the mysteries of Incarnation

     O Holy Family - Joseph is carrying "a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons" (Lk:2:24) and Mary is carrying the treasure upon Her Heart. They were going to Jerusalem, where the Temple was, in order to present Jesus to the Lord according to the Law of Moses, not knowing that they were carrying the Lord of the universe in their arms.

Mary and Joseph in their simple clothing, Jesus had been clothed by Mary the best possible way with the little they had. In contrast - High Preist had been clothed in rich and heavenly ornamented clothes, it had been ordered by God Himself that how the high priest's attire should be. God did that in order to educate their heart the greatness of the Lord and then to take them beyond : the spiritual reality.

When they handed over gently Baby Jesus to the High Priest and High Priest raised Jesus as an offering to the God of Abraham and Moses and prayed the prayer of offering, High Priest did not know that he was praying to the child in his arms and we can imagine the sweet smile of Baby Jesus listening to the prayer. Holy Spirit grant me the grace to know and recognize my Lord when He visists me.

When Jesus went into the temple in Mary's arm and Joseph at Her side, it was the time when Jews were under Romans, Jews were waiting for the Messiah to restore their nation to its glory. They were not expecting a little baby in the arms of a poor young mother. It was only Simon & Anna recognized that here is the Messiah who will give this chosen, holy nation total freedom especially the freedom of the children of God by which they will be able to live even under Romans in Freedom of the Spirit, and Mary and Joseph and Jesus show us how to live in difficult moments of life.

How attentive Simon must have been to the whisper of the Holy Spirit as he sitting in the temple. All of a sudden Simon gets up and walks , people who sat near him were surprised at old Simon's thoughful move towards the steps in the temple where High Priest offer the new born to God, how he stepped near Mary and Joseph and asked for the child. Anna too had the similar experience.

Lord, how attentive both Simon and Anna was to the prompting of the Holy Spririt and act accordingly.

O sweet Baby Jesus, how happy you were to enter the temple in our human nature in order to present our humanity to your Father. And you were carried in your Mother's arm - who is the first fruit of the redemption, the mystery of our salvation.

Dear Jesus, as small as you were, every word and action of yours from the time of your conception, had the redeeming power in the mystery of Incarnation. Teach me Lord to offer every word and action, small or big, for love of you and for the salvation of souls, with love and joy as you did. Amen