Gospel in Art: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

The Presentation in the Temple, by Elizabeth Wang, 2010 © Code R-60102-CW, Elizabeth Wang / Radiant Light

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 2 February 2024
Luke 2:22-32

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.'

Reflection on the Watercolour on Paper

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Together with Simeon and Anna we contemplate the Christ Child, the Word made flesh, who is brought to the Temple. That temple is not just the physical building but also the temple of our souls--that sacred space that is inside each of us. Today on this feast Christ is also presented to each of us, and it is up to us to open our doors and let his radiant light in.

Today, 40 days after the Lord's birth, we celebrate the coming of the Light of the World. This light is beautifully depicted by the yellow colour tonalities in our watercolour by Elizabeth Wang. We see the Holy Family from the back, about to walk up the steps, being greeted by Anna on the left and Simeon on the right. Note the smaller halo of Jesus in the arms of his mother set against her own halo. Beside the temple gate we see Anna on the left pointing towards the inside of the temple, whilst Simeon on the right has his arms outstretched, welcoming the Holy Family.

At the centre of today's gospel reading are two elderly people, Simeon and Anna. They were both blessed with the gift of recognition or insight. Both recognized the true identity of the child who was carried into the temple by his young parents. Simeon recognized Jesus as the light to enlighten the gentiles and as the glory of Israel. Anna recognised him as the deliverer for whom people had been waiting. They both went on to proclaim to others what they had come to recognize for themselves. Their gift of recognition was the fruit of their prayer. They were indeed people of prayer. Without prayer they would not have recognised who Jesus truly was! In fact Simeon's prayer has become part of the Night Prayer of the church, as we recite his words as part of our Divine Office.

The time we spend with the Lord in prayer makes it easier for us to recognise him when he comes to us through other people.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-2-22-32-2024/