A Drama Only Two People Saw
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Wednesday, February 02, 2011 11:00 AM
I adore this depiction of the Presentation, which you can see better here. (Especially if you click the “framed” version.)
It captures the joy of today’s feast so perfectly.
What equally captures the joy of the Presentation is my friend Msgr. Charles Pope’s dramatic account of the scene.
He begins with an explanation of the two rites of the Old Law Joseph & Mary were fulfilling by going to the Temple that day.
The drama, however, consists in the fact that since the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem, the Ark of the covenant—which contained the presence of God—had gone missing. The ark was missing and th Holy of Holies had been empty for centuries. When the temple was rebuilt 80 years after its sacking, the sanctuary was rebuilt—but stood empty, asking a silent question, “Will the Lord ever return?”
The ascent to Jerusalem is a steep one. The mountains surround Jerusalem and the City sits up at a higher altitude than the area around it. As the ancient Jews made the climb they sang the psalms of ascent: Psalms 120-134. As Joseph and Mary ascended they too sang the words that instilled joy: I Lift up mine eye to the mountains from whence cometh my help (121)…..I rejoiced when they said to me let us go up to the House of the Lord (122)…..To you O Lord I have lifted my eyes (123)….Like Mount Zion are those who trust in the Lord (125)….Out of the depths I call unto you O Lord! (130)…..Let us enter God’s dwelling, let us worship at the Lord’s footstool. Arise O Lord and enter your dwelling place, You and the Ark of your strength! (132)….Come and bless the Lord, You who stand in the House of the Lord Lift your hands to the Sanctuary and bless the Lord. The Lord bless you from Zion (134).
Singing these songs, Mary carried Jesus. The climb was even more difficult carrying a newborn babe. But the burden was sweet. A final ascent up the stairs to the Temple Mount. Likely they entered on the southern side through the Huldah gates. Going up the steep stairs, through the tunnel in the walls and emerging on to the bright Temple platform above.
God had returned to His Temple. He, and the Ark who carried him, were found. Mary the Ark, carrying Jesus in her arms. Jesus, very God, true God from True God. Yes, God and the Ark had been found and God was once again present among His people on the Temple Mount. Scripture says:
And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his Temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? (Mal 3:1-2)
An amazing moment, and yet seemingly only two people noticed it besides the Holy Family.
Which leads Msgr. Pope to ask, “What of us?”
At every Mass Jesus, God himself is present. Yet how many notice? Do they really see him? Or do they see only the human priest and the human elements of the Mass. Do you see? Do you notice?
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