Luke 2:22-35Luke 2:22-35
I envy those two turtle-doves
Sweet Mother, held by thee,
My heart thy journey sees and loves
Thy follower to be.
But ah! thou goest forth to meet
The Sword, and is my heart
Enough like thine to make it beat
Exultant for its part?
After the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And to offer a sacrifice according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the Temple. And when his parents brought in the Child Jesus to do for Him according to the custom of the Law, he also took Him into his arms and blessed God, and said: Now dost Thou dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy Word in peace. Because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all the people. A light to the enlightening of the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel. And His father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His Mother: Behold! this Child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; and thine own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.
While Simeon was speaking, a prophetess, Ann, entered the Temple. She also took the Child in her arms, and praising God, went forth publishing the news to ail who were looking for the redemption of Israel.
A maiden, young, and fair, and sweet,
With flowing robe and sandaled feet,
And veiled head comes down Juda's street
To greet her steps the lilies spring,
And gladly die if they may bring,
To her pure feet an offering.
One hand against her side is pressed;
Two doves lie there as in a nest,
Lightly by other hand caressed.
O, happy doves! to nestling lie,
Beneath the glance of Mary's eye,
To Mary's tender heart so nigh.
Thus she whom angels hold in awe,
In whom God could allow no flaw,
Came in obedience to the law.
And every year as ages wane,
With saintly mien to holy fane,
We see the Mother come again.
Each year before our mystic sight,
Her young face filled with heavenly light,
She smiles upon the doves, snow-white.
And with each cycle that is told,
God's messages to man unfold;
We read anew the lessons old.
Mother of God! help us to see,
With clearer faith thy majesty;
Teach us thy sweet humility.
- Elisabeth A. Tutty
- text taken from Heaven's Bright Queen, by William James Walsh