Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lectionary: 499

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112112.cfm

Handmade Presidential Chair
for priest in an
Eastern Orthodox Catholic
Church
at MN State Fair

Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards."
At once I was caught up in spirit.
A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat one
whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian.
Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald.
Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones
on which twenty-four elders sat...

The literal mind might challenge today’s celebration of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the time of her birth there was no such rite in the Jewish religion. The feast actually commemorates the dedication of a church in her honor in Jerusalem; it was honored in the east for many centuries, and later introduced to Rome and the western church.

But we could approach this “presentation” as her arrival in the temple which was her Jewish home, religion and nation. Or we might recall her entrance into that holiness where she is greeted as the worthy Mother of God. Finally, we should recall that Mary is the Temple of the Lord; like that ancient building she was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit to become Theotokos, the Mother of God.

The greeting we hear in today’s reading might be given to the Virgin of Nazareth, “Come up here and I will show you…” Receiving Gabriel’s greeting, she was lifted up before the entire world, so that all generations to come would call her blessed. She was the first to learn a mystery that she would share with Elizabeth, Joseph, the shepherds, the magi, the servants at Cana and the whole world.

The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables. (Mark 4: 11)

In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. (Ephesians 1:8-10)

Mary entered the Temple of Wisdom not made by human hands, to wear an aura of holiness as brilliant as an emerald. The more deeply we think of Mary, the First Disciple of Jesus, the Daughter of God the Father, Mother of Christ and Spouse of the Holy Spirit, the more we delight in the blessings God has given her.