Gospel in Art: The parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

The Presentation in the Temple by Ambrogio Lorenzetti © Uffizi Gallery, Florence / Wikimedia

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 2nd February 2022 - Luke 2:22-40

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, - observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord - and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel's comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

'Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.'

As the child's father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected - and a sword will pierce your own soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.'

There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with him.

Reflection on the Painting

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, which occurs exactly forty days after the birth of Jesus. Our late Gothic painting was executed by Ambrogio Lorenzetti in 1342. It was made for the altar of St. Crescentius in the Cathedral of Siena, part of four altarpieces which depicted scenes in the Life of Our Lady. We see Mary presenting the child Jesus in the Temple. The white cloth she holds refers to her own purification, according to Hebrew rituals, which took place at the same time. Simeon, flanked by the prophetess Anna, is holding Jesus; both of them recognise the Child as being the Messiah. They look lovingly at the child. Anna is holding a scroll citing part of today's Gospel passage (Luke 22:38). On the altar, the priest holding a knife is sacrificing a dove. In front of him a flame is burning to convey the sacrificial nature of his actions. Joseph is shown alone, on the far left, quietly present in the background, humbly serving. The temple is rendered as a Gothic interior, rather than the temple of Jerusalem. Starry vaults, marble columns, mosaic inlay effects, pointed arches, all convey the richness of the event and today's feast.

The perspective of the floor is especially well rendered, alongside other exquisite details such as the gilt-incised halos and the sweet depiction of Jesus sucking his thumb. His very human portrayal brings joy and spontaneity to the picture. Our Gospel reading and painting (further depicting Moses in the architectural vaults, Malachi, Joshua, etc…) stress how Christianity has its roots in the Jewish faith. Mary and Joseph are faithfully observing the Jewish Law.

Instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1997, today is also the World Day for Consecrated Life. Simeon and Anna remind us of those women and men who have consecrated themselves to serve God in the religious life. Today we pray for them and thank God for all they do and their unique witness of selfless service to our world.

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/1072
Christian Art - www.christian.art