Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Revelation 14:1-3.4b-5; Luke 21:1-4)
Once a young worker was heard singing a hymn from a church
service. Later she said that she wanted to be included among the 144,000 who as
today’s first reading declares, “follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” Would she really?
The 144,000 are likely to be those who gave their lives in
witness to the Lamb. They are the
martyrs who through the centuries have shed their life-blood proclaiming that
Jesus is Lord. Although the number 144,000
is symbolic for this group, it does not
represent all those who are saved through faith.
We can be grateful that we are not called upon to die as
martyrs. Some who have been called have apostatized. Nevertheless, we, like the Virgin Mother Mary
whom we celebrate today, are called to proclaim Jesus by word and deed. Let our actions always comply with the dictates
of the Lord while our words never cease to glorify his name.
