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
1 Mac 4:36-37,52-59
Lk 19:45-48
Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and dedicate it.”
Today, we hear about the desecration of God’s temple and the cleansing of it thereafter. The chapter in Maccabees describes this in detail: “sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burnt, and shrubs growing up in the courts as in a forest, or on the mountains, and the chambers joining to the temple thrown down”. Judas and his men cried in despair when they saw the extent of the ruin to what was once, a holy and sacred place.
Similarly in the Gospel reading, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem and saw, to his disappointment, what a marketplace it had turned into. You could almost imagine the scene: instead of a peaceful, holy ‘house of prayer’, where people would walk in reverence and reflection, it was now filled with the cacophony of traders selling animals for sacrifices, probably entertainers banging their drums, people haggling over goods. This saddened and enraged Jesus so much that he overturned the tables and threw out all the traders and money changers.
Bringing this back to today’s Memorial on the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, there is not very much detail around the presentation of Mary, other than what is in the Apocryphal Gospel of James. While details around this are still debated amongst theologians and so forth, I believe that the essence of this is still vital. Her presentation at the Temple marked the start of a life dedicated to, and in, the service of God. Years later, Mary would find favour with God when the angel Gabriel pronounced God’s grace upon her. She obediently declared that God’s will be done, reflecting the depth of her faith despite the magnitude and uncertainty of the events that would later transpire. I believe that despite all the questions she might have had, she understood the importance of her role in God’s plan and continued to trust in God, despite knowing that there would be trials on top of joy.
Through Jesus, we have all been redeemed. Through Jesus, our sins have been forgiven. Our lives have been paid for by his blood, the blood shed for all mankind. On accepting Jesus as our Saviour, He lives in us. The Holy Spirit abides in us. God is not only in the temples and churches, but in each of us – a living temple of God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, glorify God with your body.”
How have we been treating our bodies – not just physically — but mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Have we given ourselves over to pride, sex, anger, violence, addiction, vanity – to sin? Are we happy with ourselves in doing so? The Spirit of God cannot abide alongside that which is not holy, in a temple that is not pure.
As we reflect upon the Presentation of our beloved Mother, let us consider her life of dedication to God, and how she lived it to become the first disciple. Let us look to her as an example of how to live a life that will find favour with God, and purify and rebuild our own Temples accordingly.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Annette Soo)
Prayer: Blessed Mother of God, we beseech you to pray to your Son Jesus, to help us recognize our inequities. Where we have sinned, we pray for pardon; where we have deviated, we pray for strength and help to turn back, that we may rebuild our lives to be worthy temples of God, fit for the Holy Spirit.
Thanksgiving: We give thanks for the Holy Spirit, who abides in us and guides us in our lives that we may live it in faith, obedience and in service of God, as the Blessed Virgin Mary did before us.
OXYGEN 
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