Tuesday is the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord. I have two radio shows today on this topic so I put up a few pictures of what I think it may have looked like. You can listen at 8:10 AM Eastern on Spirit Catholic Radio (https://spiritcatholicradio.com/) and with Tereso Tomeo on Ave Maria Radio and EWTN (www.AveMariaRadio.net).
The presentation of a new son, was mandated in the Old Testament because after the exodus God had required the firstborn son to be dedicated to Him. But since the tribe of Levi had become the priests dedicated to God, parents could “redeem” their firstborn son, “buy him back from God”, so to speak.
It was also required of the mother to purify herself after giving birth for either a son or a daughter. Of course, this was not a purification from sin but was a ritual, ceremonial cleansing after the “flow of blood.”
Mary was no more offering sacrifices for any sin than Jesus was washed from sin at his baptism.
These are two of my favorite paintings of the Presentation. Notice in the top one that Joseph even has the two turtledoves in a cage to offer as the sacrifice. You can barely see the birds’ beak and eyes through the weaving.
At the Temple the Prophet Simeon declared Mary’s soul would also be pierced. That took place later at the crucifixion. Imagine a 15-year-old girl hearing those ominous words and trying to process that message!
To see the picture I took on Calvary in Jerusalem – of Mary being pierced with the sword, click here to visit my blog “With Mary on Calvary“
The post Pictures (and Radio Shows) of the Presentation of Our Lord appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.
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