Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
But Mattathias answered in a loud voice: “Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers and consents to the king’s orders, yet I and my sons and my kin will keep to the covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments. We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.” 1 Maccabees 2:19-22
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:41-42
Piety
(From www.AmericanCatholic.Org): “It is sometimes difficult for modern Westerners to appreciate a feast like this [Presentation of Mary in the temple by her parents]. The Eastern Church, however, was quite open to this feast and even somewhat insistent about celebrating it. Even though the feast has no basis in history, it stresses an important truth about Mary: From the beginning of her life, she was dedicated to God. She herself became a greater temple than any made by hands. God came to dwell in her in a marvelous manner and sanctified her for her unique role in God's saving work. At the same time, the magnificence of Mary enriches her children. They, too, are temples of God and sanctified in order that they might enjoy and share in God's saving work.”
Study
Today we have stories of arrivals and departures to coincide with Mary’s arrival in the Temple. Mattathias and his followers leave behind in the city all their possessions. They sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom so they went out into the desert to settle there in hopes of being successful.
Jesus, on the other hand, is arriving in the city to find the kind of conflict from which Mattathias fled. As Jesus approaches the city, he Jesus weeps again knowing not only what lies ahead for himself but also the tragedy awaiting the people he loved.
We also witnessed Jesus weeping at the grave site of his friend Lazarus. That, too, is a scene of departure and arrival. Lazarus departed life. Many thought that had Jesus hurried to (arrive) to see his ill friend, then Lazarus would not have died. Jesus wept when he stood at the grave of his friend Lazarus again for the witness he would bring to those present and also for himself. Jesus knew he would suffer death like Lazarus. Now was not the time for him to think of his joyful return from death.
All this weeping implicates Jesus with his humanity. At the same time he reveals his human side, he also reveals the saving power of God over humanity – like the shepherd caring for his sheep…especially the lost ones.
Jesus’ spirit is disturbed by what he knows will come…not the joy of resurrection but the agony of death and separation and departure. Even though we are sinners, he weeps over us to this day.
Action
What arrivals and departures are part of your life? We travel as if it was second nature but when Jesus traveled, he walked everywhere. No car. No Metro. Sometimes even no mule. Just sandals on his feet.
Meeting people at the airport, train, or bus terminal will be something many of us will do for the Thanksgiving holiday next week. Prepare for the joy of their arrival and the thanks that you will share.
But Mattathias answered in a loud voice: “Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers and consents to the king’s orders, yet I and my sons and my kin will keep to the covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments. We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.” 1 Maccabees 2:19-22
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:41-42
Piety
(From www.AmericanCatholic.Org): “It is sometimes difficult for modern Westerners to appreciate a feast like this [Presentation of Mary in the temple by her parents]. The Eastern Church, however, was quite open to this feast and even somewhat insistent about celebrating it. Even though the feast has no basis in history, it stresses an important truth about Mary: From the beginning of her life, she was dedicated to God. She herself became a greater temple than any made by hands. God came to dwell in her in a marvelous manner and sanctified her for her unique role in God's saving work. At the same time, the magnificence of Mary enriches her children. They, too, are temples of God and sanctified in order that they might enjoy and share in God's saving work.”
Study
Today we have stories of arrivals and departures to coincide with Mary’s arrival in the Temple. Mattathias and his followers leave behind in the city all their possessions. They sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom so they went out into the desert to settle there in hopes of being successful.
Jesus, on the other hand, is arriving in the city to find the kind of conflict from which Mattathias fled. As Jesus approaches the city, he Jesus weeps again knowing not only what lies ahead for himself but also the tragedy awaiting the people he loved.
We also witnessed Jesus weeping at the grave site of his friend Lazarus. That, too, is a scene of departure and arrival. Lazarus departed life. Many thought that had Jesus hurried to (arrive) to see his ill friend, then Lazarus would not have died. Jesus wept when he stood at the grave of his friend Lazarus again for the witness he would bring to those present and also for himself. Jesus knew he would suffer death like Lazarus. Now was not the time for him to think of his joyful return from death.
All this weeping implicates Jesus with his humanity. At the same time he reveals his human side, he also reveals the saving power of God over humanity – like the shepherd caring for his sheep…especially the lost ones.
Jesus’ spirit is disturbed by what he knows will come…not the joy of resurrection but the agony of death and separation and departure. Even though we are sinners, he weeps over us to this day.
Action
What arrivals and departures are part of your life? We travel as if it was second nature but when Jesus traveled, he walked everywhere. No car. No Metro. Sometimes even no mule. Just sandals on his feet.
Meeting people at the airport, train, or bus terminal will be something many of us will do for the Thanksgiving holiday next week. Prepare for the joy of their arrival and the thanks that you will share.
No comments:
Post a Comment