There is always more to a story than the central plot line. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple because it was required of them. God used the experience to reveal far more than they could have imagined.
My prayer
God, may I follow You, trusting in a bigger Truth than I can know.
Scriptural Touchstone:
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord…” Luke 2:22-23 (NRSV)
…Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying… my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28, 30-32
Invitation to Pray:
What is God asking of you today? After you do it, consider if there was more to it than you first thought. Then, return to prayer.
Photos:
These images show the presentation of Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:22-32) and the prophecy of Simeon over Jesus in the Life of Mary window at Chartres Cathedral in France. The photo shown above can be found on page 2 in the Introduction to Visions of Mary: Art, Devotion, and Beauty at Chartres Cathedral.
Look inside Visions of Mary (Introduction and Chapter One)
Available at Amazon, Paraclete Press, and Barnes and Noble
Interested in buying the book in volume? Contact Sister Estelle at Paraclete Press for pricing options.
Posts that center on the images shown in Visions of Mary:
(1) The Blue Virgin Window at Chartres; (2) Looking Towards God; (3) Notre Dame de Chartres; (4) An Angel’s Perspective; (5) Mary’s Example; (6) Questioning; (7) Really?; (8) Wrapped in Love; (9) Devotion; (10) Lifted
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