‘When the days were completed, for purification according to the Law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord; every first born male is to be dedicated to the Lord.’ (Luke 2: 22 – 23)
The Feast of the presentation of the Lord, has been called the feast of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 2nd of February marks the 40th day from Christmas when Our Infant Lord was presented in the temple after his birth. This is the 4th joyful mystery of the rosary and the fruit of the mystery is OBEDIENCE.
By law, when an Israelite woman gives birth, she becomes ritually unclean. If she gives birth to a male child, she remains unclean for seven days after the birth and for another 33 days due to the flow of her postpartum blood. So after 40 days, she is present at the temple, to be purified and readmitted to the liturgical life of Israel. Blessed Mary was preserved in immaculate purity. She went to the temple, not to be purified but to fulfil the law through her purification and present the Lamb of The Lord. Mary had no need of purification but she humbled herself to follow the precepts of the Law. The love of The Law and obedience to it is love of God and obedience to him.
Like mother Mary, let us also show our love and obedience to God by obeying the law and following Him, the way he wants us to.
