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| The Presentation of Mary in the Temple |
November 21 commemorates Mary’s presentation which dates back in Jerusalem in the sixth century. Although the feast at times disappeared from the calendar, in the 16th century it became a feast of the universal Church. As with Mary’s birth, we read of Mary’s presentation in the temple only in apocryphal literature. In what is recognized as an unhistorical account, the Protoevangelium of James tells us that Anna and Joachim offered Mary to God in the Temple when she was three years old. This was to carry out a promise made to God when Anna was still childless.
This feast is celebrated not only by Roman Catholics. Greek Orthodox Christians also commemorate this Biblical event but with a different name. They call it “The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple.” “Theotokos” is a Greek term which means “God-bearer.”
Both Western and Eastern Christians regard Mary as “theotokos.” We believe that even before she conceived Jesus in her womb, she already had the Lord in her heart. She remained faithful all her life to the Lord who had chosen her to be the mother of the Savior of the world.
Although the event that we are celebrating today cannot be located in the Scriptures, this feast has an important message to all Christians of today. Along with the other Marian celebrations such as the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, this feast reminds us of our fundamental vocation, which is the call to holiness. We are all called to be holy.
Like Mary, our first and foremost mission in this life is to live our lives to the fullest. To live a holy life is a tall order but it is not impossible. It is through God’s grace that we can fulfill this vocation and mission. The Letter of Paul reminds us of this sublime reality: The grace of the Lord is enough for those who strive to live good and holy lives (cf. 2 Cor, 12:9).
May the Feast of the Presentation of Mary urge us all to strive to live our lives in fulfillment of this vocation to holiness. May the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary inspire us to always do the will of God even in difficult situations. Pray for us, dear Mother of God, so that we may remain faithful to the will of God and also be worthy bearers of the Word of Life. Amen.
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