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The Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation

CHAPTER 8

Jesus Christ's Presentation in the Temple; Simeon's Canticle and Prophecy

                       And after eight days were accomplished, that the Child should be circumcised, His name was
called JESUS,
which was called by the angel, before He was conceived in the womb.

                          And after the days of Her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they
                         carried Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the Law of the Lord:
"                            Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"; and to offer a sacrifice, according
                        as it is written in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. [And they
performed all things according to the Law of the Lord.]

                                And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting
                              for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from
                                   the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came
by the Spirit into the Temple.

                                  And when His parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the Law,
he also took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:

         "Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace;
Because my eyes have seen Thy salvation,
Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
         A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel:'
                              And His father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning Him. And
Simeon blessed them,

and said to Mary His mother: "Behold this Child is set for the fall,6                                               
                       and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And Thy own                                            
soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed."                                       
                    And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was far                                    
                advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a                                
                    widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the Temple, by fastings and prayers                                
                        serving night and day. Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord and spoke of Him                            
to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.

The Gospel according to St. Luke chapter 2: verses 21-38

6 For the fall: Christ came for the salvation of all men; but here Simeon                               
prophesies what would come to pass, that many through their own wilful                           
                blindness and obstinacy would not believe in Christ, nor receive His doctrine, which therefore                
would be ruin to them: but to others a resurrection, by their                   
believing in Him, and obeying His commandments.