Friday, March 12, 2010

Presentation of the Lord

Nave, Gospel Side
On the left: Joseph (who holds a small cage with two birds for sacrifice) and  Mary bring Jesus to the Temple (Luke 2:22-40). On the right is Anna, a pious widow who dedicated her life to constant prayer and fasting.  In the background two priests of the Temple look on.  
Centrally placed is Baby Jesus and St. Simeon who had received a promise from the Holy Ghost that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah. Here that promise is fulfilled. A very aged Simeon takes Our Little Saviour in his arms and prays the nunc dimittis:  Lord, now let Your servant go in peace, according to Your promise because my eyes have seen Your salvation…
The scene is popularly called the “Presentation”. Can it be a coincidence that the dedication across the bottom of the windows reads (emphasis mine): PRESENTED by Eugene O’Keefe.  For more on Eugene O’Keefe see here.


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