Memorial: Presentation of Mary
(2 Macc 6:18-31; Ps 3; Lk 19:1-10)
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Fr. Cantalemessa, the papal preacher, once said that imitation of Mary is just as important as devotion to her.
Along with trying to imitate Mary, today’s liturgy invites us to pray to receive the fullness of grace, as did Mary, and to be open to God’s redeeming grace like Zacchaeus.
This memorial is a commemoration of the 543 CE dedication of the basilica St. Mary the New in Jerusalem. In 1585 this memorial spread to the Western Church. An apocryphal account tells us of Joachim and Anna bringing Mary as 3-year old to the temple to offer her to the Lord and leaving here there to praise and serve God. The much later presentation of Jesus in the Temple serves as a background: while two turtle doves were offered, the offering of the poor, really no offering was needed as Jesus was himself the Temple. This memorial honors Mary as the Temple where God lives, so for her as well, no offering was necessary. We are reminded that we also are meant to be temples where the Lord lives, offering our lives to the Lord.
Another aspect of Mary we can appreciate is her role at the foot of the cross, a strong woman doing what Jesus was doing on the cross, forgiving those who were killing him. And that is what we must do as well, as disciples of Jesus and emulators of Mary – loving our enemies as he did.
Wayne Teasdale, in his book, Monk in the World, provides another insight into the role of Mary in our lives. He says, “Mary was the first priest because she made Jesus present here in this world body, blood, soul and divinity through her own body.” Her acceptance of the invitation to bear the Son of God and his birth through her was the first Eucharistic celebration. Her visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, pregnant with Jesus, could be called the first Eucharistic procession. And so, we honor Mary in that way as well.
Although there are no special readings for this memorial, the readings are still appropriate. In the first reading, during a time of terrible persecution of the Jews, the patriarch Eliazar remains faithful to the covenant as a model for the youth. For her part, from her Immaculate Conception to her Assumption into heaven, Mary remained sinless, faithful to her calling to be the mother of God, and that serves as a model for us all.
Zacchaeus, in the gospel, is a study of opposites. A chief tax collector, and rich, he would be considered a loathed sinner in the eyes of his fellow Jews, in collusion with the Romans, and gouging the local people by skimming funds off the top for himself. Amazingly, notwithstanding that situation, he wanted to see Jesus, and went to extra-ordinary means to accomplish that – humbling himself by running ahead to climb a tree.
More than that, he provided hospitality to Jesus, and promised to repay anything he had stolen four-fold. That transformation in this former corrupt official led Jesus to make the striking statement that today, salvation had come to his house, for Jesus had come to seek out and save the lost.
The making up for his wrongdoing on the part of Zacchaeus fits well with Step nine of the 12 Step program – making amends to the people that had been armed by one’s actions. That is always a great challenge, and for some, could be quite costly. One person in particular who did $40,000 damage to another person’s property out of anger at being sexually abused by that person, would have to consider how to make amends for that, and could be inspired by the example of Zacchaeus.
So, both figures, Mary and Zacchaeus, in different ways, proclaim the saving power of God through Jesus – Mary sinless from her conception through the prevenient grace of Jesus, and Zacchaeus, forgiven and healed through the very present grace of Jesus.
So, as we celebrate the Eucharist today, receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus that Mary made possible, let us pray to receive that fullness of grace as she did, that we might imitate her, which is as important as praising her. And may we be open to receiving that same grace of Jesus through forgiveness and healing, as Zacchaeus did.
Well yes, we should learn to appreciate and love the Blessed Virgin Mary who conceived and gave birth to Jesus Christ which is the son of God. She will always remain sinless and pure from her conception. Without Mary we will not have the body, blood of Christ and even the spirit of Jesus who saves many people. We should try to praise and worship the Blessed Virgin Mary. This message and meaning is well stated about Jesus Christ and who is the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many Blessings ! Amen Gracias
May the Blessed Virgin Mary pray for you and thank you Bishop for all the homilies you have written for us all the time. Jesus Christ should admire you for all the beautiful messages and teachings you have presented to people. Helping people with their difficulties and concerns that is troubling them. Thanks again.