Sunday:       Presentation of Mary
Date:         November 21, 2013.
Year:         C
The readings: [1 Mac. 2:15-29; Lk. 19:41-44]
The message:  Commissioned to serve the Lord.
Prepared by:  Catholic Doors Ministry
Total words:  955

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Welcome my friends, friends of Jesus, to today's celebration of the Feast of the "Presentation of Mary." In the days when the Virgin Mary walked the earth, it was the custom of Jewish parents to present their child to God at the Temple before the age of five. Today commemorates that special day on which the Blessed Virgin Mary was presented to the Temple of Jerusalem at age 3 by her parents, Saint Anne and Saint Joachim.

Sometimes, the young child remained in the Temple to be educated and trained in the service of the sanctuary and its priests. Such a service involved sewing vestments and ornaments, assisting in the rituals or contributing to the worship of God in the various liturgical offices. Inspired by the vision of the Temple priest, Sts Anne and Joachim left the child Mary at the Temple to serve God.

This background knowledge originated from some apocryphal writings, namely from the Protoevangel of James, the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew and the Gospel of the Nativity of Mary. It was not until 1585 that this special Feast was entered into the Western liturgical calendar. Although no mention of this Feast is found in the eight century Menology of Constantinople, it is referred to in liturgical documents of the 11 th century.

In summary, today's First Reading from the Book of Revelation [Rev. 5:1-10] opened our eyes to the unwavering willingness of the Lord Jesus to answer His Divine calling as the Sacrificial Lamb of God. The willingness of Jesus to serve our heavenly Father is a reminder to each of everyone of us of our obligation to serve voluntarily. Where did this obligation originate? When we were sealed with the Sacrament of Confirmation, we made a personal commitment to spread the Gospel of Christ and to defend the Catholic faith.

The Virgin Mary, also commissioned by God to serve, is a perfect example of servitude to all of us. Beginning at an early age at the Temple, she served God throughout her life, right to her last moment on earth when she was taken up to Heaven by an escort of endless angels.

God's calling to all of His human creations is a reminder to those who fall short of being holy, to those who give the appearance of being holy and to those who are truly holy.

To those who fall short of being holy, it is a reminder to sincerely repent of their sins and to embrace God's righteousness for the salvation of their souls. To those who give the appearance of being holy, it is a reminder to awaken from their darkness and to also embrace a sincere repentance of their sins before they lose their salvation. To those who are holy, it is a calling to persevere in their righteousness. It is a calling to always remain obedient, to remain wholeheartedly submitted to the Lord in servitude, in moments of peace and in moments of sufferings.

In the eyes of God, every human being has two choices in life. One can choose the spiritual road of life or the worldly road of fame, pleasures and wealth. The spiritual road of life requires perseverance through all the trials that might cross one's path. At the end of that road, the pilgrim will receive a great reward that will last an eternity. The worldly road leads to nowhere. It is one of endless wondering for more and more of the worldly things, never finding satisfaction in what has been gained. At the end of the earthly life, this soul leaves empty handed, its body and possession turning to dust. What awaits it is eternal condemnation.

Today's Reading from the Gospel of Luke [Lk. 19:41-44] was a reminder to those who reject the grace of God. As those who failed to recognize the visitation from God on earth and were cursed to be crushed to the ground, those who fail to recognize the visitation of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament as the Bread of Life will also be crushed to the ground. For there is only one way, one truth and one life through Jesus Christ.

Fellowship in the Body of Christ has a price. Those who pay the price through their perseverance, they are in good company. Through the Blood of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Saint Paul and most of the Apostles paid the price that gracefully opened to them the door to the eternal Kingdom.

In a way, the price that the Virgin Mary paid was far different from that of many of the saints. Her dedication to the Temple in the service of God did not begin at age 20 or 30. Mary was deprived of her parents as a very young girl. She was deprived of all what a young girl enjoys in a home environment, play time, playmates, all the pleasures of the world. But in the end, God rewarded her more than He has ever rewarded anyone else throughout the entire creation.

This is the price that people pays to belong to God. What would happen if Jesus visited your home today? What would He ask you to immediately change in your life as a 100% guarantee that you would receive your salvation as a result of that change? Or is your life presently so perfect that it needs no changes? Let us reflect upon that today. Let us ask ourselves, "Is there something that separates me from Jesus, something that can obstruct all the rewards that are bestowed upon those who walk a holy life in Christ?" If the need be for a change, let us make that change as quickly as possible as our assurance that if we die today, salvation awaits us.

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The readings...

[The readings were taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (C) 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the United States of America.]

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First Reading...

"The king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein to make the people offer sacrifice. Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: ‘You are a leader, honoured and great in this town, and supported by sons and brothers. Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Gentiles and the people of Judah and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the Friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honoured with silver and gold and many gifts.’

But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: ‘Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to obey his commandments, everyone of them abandoning the religion of their ancestors, I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our ancestors. Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. We will not obey the king’s words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left.’

When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, according to the king’s command. When Mattathias saw it, he burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and killed him on the altar. At the same time he killed the king’s officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus he burned with zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did against Zimri son of Salu.

Then Mattathias cried out in the town with a loud voice, saying: ‘Let everyone who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!’ Then he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the town. At that time many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to live there." [1 Mac. 2:15-29]

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Gospel Reading...

"As Jesus came near Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, 'If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God." [Lk. 19:41-44]

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