One of the most beautiful prayers of the Church is the Nunc Dimittis or Song of Simeon, which is said every night during Compline. The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the promised Messiah. The name Simeon means "God has heard", and when he takes Jesus in his arms, he realises that he has set eyes upon God's response. In the infant Jesus he sees Salvation, and the Lord who will shine forth from Israel to enlighten the pagans and bring glory to Israel. In Our Lord's Presentation, we can see three principal elements of our Salvation: the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection.Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple to fulfil the Mosaic Law. Both Mother and Son were required to take part in rituals that remind us of Jesus' birth. Mary was required to be ritually purified after giving birth, in accordance with the Law. Also offerings were required for both the birth and Pidyon haben or "the redemption of the first-born son".
However the shadow of the Cross, even at this early stage, casts itself across this feast. Simeon predicts Christ's rejection and the sorrows of Mary but there is also a foreshadowing in Christ's presence in the Temple. By adhering to Jewish practices, Christ perfects them. As the prophet Malachi says: when he enters the temple "he will take his seat as refiner and purifier". Only Christ can be the true High Priest, who can offer a sacrifice that will atone for sin. This pure and true sacrifice is Himself. He is presented by his Mother for service to the Lord and in His perfect obedience He will present Himself on the Cross to free all from the fear of death and the Devil.
In His victory, the Resurrection, He will perfect the Temple in His body, the Church, to which both Jew and Gentile alike may belong.
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