A Rosary Meditation for the Month of May

Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple

"And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And 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 male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord') and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, 'a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons"' (Lk 2:21-24).

Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. They travel in obedience to the Law but also in reverence for the gift of the Child-Messiah they are privileged to raise as their own. They are humble in offering their precious child back to God, full of trust and love.

Oh my child, I return to the days when I held you within me, little one. Maybe for far too short a time. Maybe for the full 9 months. As you grew, I prayed and contemplated the mystery of who you would be. You too, my precious baby, were a gift. You too were sent from the Lord not just to be my child, but to fulfill your own mission from God. If I am honest, I long for your mission to be different — for your mission to not have meant you died long before I was ready to let you go. And yet, I am called to be humble like Mary and Joseph and to present you back to the Lord in thanksgiving and trust for the cost of two turtle doves. For the cost of my broken heart and a lifetime of longing while I stumble and struggle to trust the Lord with all of my heart, and to not rely on my own understanding. Mary and Joseph, be my guide.

While you slept and squirmed and grew from the safety of my womb, I did not yet know what the cost of my presentation would be. You were destined for a path I could not imagine. I was destined for a path I could not imagine. My calling is now to bear witness to God’s plan for your life in surrender and obedience and ask the Holy Spirit to help guide me as I mourn, with open hands and a broken, faithful heart.

Oh, Holy Spirit, give me the grace to follow your holy will.

I pray for an obedient heart in the face of uncertainty.

I pray for enough trust to remember that my beautiful child was yours before he/she was mine.

I beg for the courage to allow a sword to pierce my heart and declare that you are still good.

I pray for the patience to believe that you are faithful and you always keep your promises, in your time and in your way.

I pray for a grateful heart to marvel at the gift of my child’s life — no matter the length of his or her days — and the unique purpose and plan you have for him/her.

Amen.