Memorial of the
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(II Maccabee 6:18-31; Luke 19:1-10)
The readings today tell the stories of two Jewish
heroes. The first is an old man,
Eleazar, whose lengthy life has become the source of sorrow. Foreigners are imposing their ways on his
native Israel. What is worse, the people
are cooperating with the oppressors. Now
his own friends call him to join in their abandonment of God’s law. He resists the temptation and pays the price
of fidelity with his life.
The second hero is an unlikely tax-collector. Zacchaeus supposedly takes what doesn’t belong
to him under government auspices. But really
he is a man who is so righteous that he exults in the possibility of seeing
Jesus, God’s prophet. He proves his zeal by showing Jesus that he goes beyond
the law’s letter. He is willing to give
half, not just a tenth, of his belongings to the poor and pay back four times,
not just twice, if he has extorted anything from anyone.
There is another Jewish hero whom we celebrate
today. She was as faithful as the morning
sun in following the law. She could not
refrain from singing God’s praises.
Today is the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the
Temple. She is dedicated to God who will
ask her to give birth and educate His Son, Jesus. Because she too has lived a righteous life,
the responsibility will not be impossible.
Because she can count on God’s grace, she will accomplish the task with distinction.
