Memorial of the
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(I Maccabees 2:15-29; Luke 19:41-44)
Every city has its landmark. In New York it is the Statue of Liberty. In Rome St. Peter’s Basilica stands out. In Jerusalem of antiquity the Temple loomed
in importance. The Temple monumentalized
the Jewish faith. There the people
worshiped and offered sacrifice. Because
money was exchanged in making sacrifices, the Temple had economic significance. Today’s gospel and feast have the Temple as a
common reference.
In the gospel Jesus weeps over the city of Jerusalem. His
saying that
“they will not leave one stone
upon another” applies particularly to the Temple. In 70 A.D. the Romans dismantled its
magnificent structure. Jesus’ weeps for
good reason. Many of his countrymen will
be killed. Terrible as well, this symbol
and facilitator of Israel’s faith will be lost.
Ancient and often exaggerated stories of Jesus are told
in the so-called apocryphal gospels. Although
they cannot be considered the inspired word of God, they often support
Christian faith. At least two of these “gospels”
give background information by telling of the infancy of Mary. They testify that Mary’s parents brought her
to the Temple when she was three. They
left her there as their offering to the Lord.
Mary, according to the story, was neither unaware nor afraid of what was
going on. Rather she ran up the Temple
stairs without looking back. Here Mary
serves as a model for all of us. May we
be as eager to serve the Lord as this child!
