Celebrating Mary's complete dedication to Almighty God
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary (November 21, 2019): ZEC 2:14-17; LK 1:46-47,48-49,50-51,52-53,54-55; MT 12:46-50
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
Today we consider Mary as a child.
According to legend, her parents brought her to the Jerusalem Temple as a small child in thanksgiving for the gift of her birth because they had been childless. Though not considered a historical event, the occasion was recounted in the apocryphal Infancy Gospel of James and received much acclaim in the Eastern Church. By the 1500s this feast day saluting Mary’s Presentation became part of the liturgical calendar for the whole Church.
From her Immaculate Conception through her birth, death and, now, her eternity in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary has always adored and served God with her whole body and soul. In the prayer that we know as the Magnificat, we hear her say, “He has come to the help of His servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever” (Luke 1:54-55). Mary was a faithful Jew who lived to reflect and share the love of God for her own nation and for all people. We, too, can join her in fulfilling the will of God by devoting ourselves to His merciful plan for our salvation and that of the whole world.
Suggested missionary action: Today, let us particularly ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to look after infants, children and their families everywhere, especially in the Missions. We can offer a World Mission Rosary for their welfare.
