Nov 21 – Memorial for the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today, we commemorate the presentation of the Blessed Virgin as a child in the Temple where, according to tradition, she was educated. The feast originated in the Orient probably about the seventh century, and is found in the constitution of Manuel Comnenus (1166) as a recognized festival. It was introduced into the Western Church in the 14th century, abolished by Pope Pius V, but re-established by Sixtus V in 1585. Its observance by the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as the day of their origin led to the devotion of Mater Admirabilis (Mother Most Admirable).
- Patron Saint Index
2 Mac 6:18-31
Lk 19:1-10
“…and because I had played this part for the sake of a paltry brief spell of life might themselves be led astray on my account…”
Yesterday, we talked about the challenges of remaining faithful amidst the growing trend towards secularism and atheism. As more people increasingly identify themselves as ‘Nones’ or Atheists, how the rest of us live our faith has come under greater scrutiny. The Bible tells us that at the end of days, families will turn against one another on account of God. Some version of that has begun to play out in my household. Whenever the topic comes up, more often than not it devolves into hostility, anger, shouting and banging of doors. Though I refuse to let something as ‘medieval’ as religion drive a wedge in my family, people feel what they feel, and I have to respect that. Their criticism is not unfounded. It is very difficult to defend the evil that men have done allegedly in the name of God and His Church. And though these men are nothing to me, their actions have railroaded my own attempts to bear witness to my family, some of whom identify themselves as ‘Nones’. So what happens now? Where do Catholics like me go from here? How do we move on from this?
In today’s first reading, Eleazar shows us what it means to lead by example. One has to be honest beyond reproach. Even when he was offered a clever way out of his predicament, Eleazar chose the truth and adhered to the spirit of it. Authenticity and credibility go hand in hand. We can profess to be Catholic, but if we don’t behave like Catholics, we lead others astray with our bad witness. One also has to be ready to lose one’s friends (and maybe even one’s family!) in the process. People will think it mad that we persevere in our Catholic faith with all the scandal that is plaguing God’s house. But if we leave, don’t the bad guys win? Shouldn’t we stay and try to take back the Church, try to fight the good fight from within? That’s the line I have fallen back on when questioned by friends and family about my motivations. It’s a little radical, but maybe these are radical times? Finally, one has to be prepared to die to one’s self in order to lead by example. We have to put the good of others ahead of ourselves. This point was made clear to me at All Souls’ mass this month. Death comes for all of us; it is one of the certainties of life. When we are gone, we will be remembered by how we made others feel, not how we gratified ourselves. And as Catholics, we are duty-bound to reflect this other-centredness. Were we selfish or loving, compassionate or calculating, humble or self-aggrandizing? Our actions speak volumes about who we truly are and the faith that we profess to live by. Words will fade away, but our works endure. Let us all take time to ponder on that.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Sharon Soo)
Prayer: We pray for the courage to live our faith authentically, even if it means being isolated from friends and family.
Thanksgiving: We give thanks to the Holy Spirit, who inspires us to discern God’s will for us, and the path that He wants us to follow.
OXYGEN 
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