The Holy Family: Icon of Family Love
Please begin by saying the Prayer to the Holy Family found on page 2 of the Retreat Guide. Then, watch the video below. When you are done, continue with Section 2 in the retreat guide.
The Scripture Reflection artwork and questions are provided below in a larger format than the printed PDF to increase your child’s engagement.
Scripture with Reflection Questions
Read this Scripture passage prayerfully and carefully. Don’t rush. Reflect on this artist’s depiction of this scene as another way of entering into this mystery.
Article about this painting (for reference): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presentation_at_the_Temple_(Ambrogio_Lorenzetti)
Luke 2:21-40
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.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan’u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Questions to Discuss
- If you are able to view the painting of the Presentation in the Temple, what details do you notice? How do the details help tell the story of this event?
- What does Simeon mean when he prophesies to Mary that her son “is set for the fall and rising of many”?
- Are there ways that Jesus, especially his teachings, have been a stumbling block for you? How have you responded to struggles in your faith?