Myaltho (Ma’altho)- Feb 2 I Presentation and Dedication of our Lord to the Temple

On Feb 2 each year, our Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation and Dedication or Entry of our Lord, to the Temple of Jerusalem, also called as The Meeting of Our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, which occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus Christ. Holy and Righteous Simeon and aged Prophetess Anna were two elderly people, who spent their whole life in and around the temple in Jerusalem. They were people filled with the Holy Spirit. They both led lives of Continuous Communication with Lord. Their Persistent Prayers led to Perpetual Presence of the Lord in their lives. They were gifted Constant Communication from the Almighty and finally they both had a Consecrated Pleasure, a holy peace and joy in their lives, as they both experienced the most special gift of all, being able to see the Lord Jesus face-to-face and Hold Christ in their arms.

This feast is keeping with the requirements of the Law of Moses, the Holy Family presented their first-born son, Jesus, at the Jerusalem Temple as an offering to God, “Set apart for me the first boy in every family” Ex. 13: 2.) And again, in keeping with the Law of Moses, “they offered a sacrifice…a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (Lev. 12: 2-8; Lk. 2: 2.), the offering of the poverty of the Holy Family, but exceedingly excellent divine Holy Family . The words of the prophet Malachi are fulfilled in the poor parents presenting their firstborn son. “Now I am sending my messenger— he will prepare the way before me; And the lord whom you seek will come suddenly to His temple; The messenger of the covenant whom you desire—see, He is coming! says the LORD of hosts” (Mal. 3: 1)

Luke tells us three times in this short passage (Lk. 2: 25-27) that Simeon was a man who was attentive to the Holy Spirit. The “Holy Spirit was upon him” since “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.” Simeon’s life is not only inspired, but also powerfully moved by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit led him to the temple on the very day (40th after the Birth of Christ) when the All-Pure Virgin Mary and St. Joseph had come to the Temple, in order to, perform the ritual prescribed by Jewish Law. The mother of God – the Theotokos, in no need of ritual purification, yet her husband did not set themselves above the Law. The Holy Family returned to Galilee, to the town of Nazareth. The Holy Bible tells us that Jesus grew and became strong and was filled with wisdom.

Holy, Righteous and Devout Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and praises God:

“Master, now You are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel”

(Lk 2:28–32).

Prayerful, Pious and Prophetess Anna, who had never left the temple because her life was entirely devoted to prayer and worship, then, approaches the Holy Family. She too, recognizes Jesus as messiah, but she has a very different reaction: “At that moment, she came and began to speak about the Child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).

Blessed Virgin Mary was the First to HEAR THE GOOD NEWS, announced to her, by Angel Gabriel!
St. Simeon was the First to RECEIVE CHRIST!!
Prophetess Anna was the First Woman to understand fully and PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS!!!

They both experienced the most special gift of all being able to see the Lord Jesus face-to-face and Hold Christ in their arms. They, just saw the child, without seeing any miracle or witnessing any sign. The mere sight of the Messiah was enough, for the glorious experience. We need to take Christ in our arms and looked at. And when we take Christ in our arms and looked upon, we will see the wondrous effect of Salvation!

It is time for us to recapitulate and ask ourselves, what changes has come, in our way of life since the Birth of Christ forty days ago? What can we present to the Temple of Christ, the Church?