Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lectionary: 680

And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,

"Here are my mother and my brothers.

For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother."

It probably does no harm to Mary or the Church to admit that there was no custom of presenting baby girls in the temple in Jerusalem. Today's memorial seems to be a frank imitation of the February feast of the Presentation of Jesus. That event is well attested in the Gospel of Saint Luke and by the tradition chronicled in in the book of Exodus. 

 

However, the Book of Leviticus describes a rite of purification for women who'd given birth. Forty days after the birth of a boy, and eighty days after an infant girl, women should present themselves at the entrance of the tent of meeting with an offering. The Levite priest would pray for her and she could resume her customary place in the worship services. 

But the presentation of a firstborn son and the purification of a woman who has recently given birth should not be confused, despite Saint Luke's allusion to "their purification."  

However, the story of Mary's presentation was not created by medieval or counter-reformation piety. It's a very ancient tradition celebrated by the second century apocryphal "Gospel of James;" and reflects an ancient fascination with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Long before the Council of Nicea decreed that she is the Mother of God. we wanted to know his mother. Who was this woman raised up and blessed by every generation until the end of time?  

The Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary  reminds us of her persistent and pervasive presence in our religion, beginning with her innumerable types in the Old Testament. She appears in the Gospel of John and both of Saint Luke's books. These Evangelists acknowledge her necessary presence at critical moments in God's plan of salvation. 

• Her consent -- in Latin, fiat, meaning "Let it be" -- given to Gabriel is critical to God's plan of salvation. 
• Jesus seemed to be waiting on her signal at Cana to begin his ministry. 
• As the Father sacrificed his only begotten son on Calvary for the salvation of the world she also gave her only son, the fruit of her virgin womb. 
• Although the Woman of Revelation 12 is not explicitly called Mary, her resemblance to the Virgin Mother in Bethlehem is unmistakable. 

Mary's presentation in the temple eighty days after the Nativity of Mary (September 8) reminds each of us that we must be present -- we must show up -- in the Lord's house and among his disciples. Like Mary we are holy and we must shine like sparks darting through stubble, for our holiness is the starry crown on her head.