The Sacred Family on the Temple Mount

This Sunday the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family.  The Gospel reading is Luke 2:22-40, where the sacred family (Mary, Joseph, and Jesus) are up in Jerusalem at the temple when they are met by Simeon and Anna.  Simeon takes the child Jesus in his arms and praised God saying,

      “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word;

      for 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….”

 

Simeon also says to Mary, “this child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel.”  There was also a prophetess named Anna who praised God and spoke about Jesus for all those looking for “the redemption of Jerusalem” (vv. 36-38).

 

Israel, Gentiles, and Jerusalem!