When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord. (Lk 2:22)
Under the Mosaic Law, a woman was considered unclean for 40 days after childbirth. After that forty day period, the woman presented herself to the priests and offered sacrifice.
As Mary went to the temple to present herself, she also went to dedicate her Child to the Lord. Today’s feast emphasizes the first appearance of Jesus in the Temple based upon that faith tradition.
Many of us, too, were presented to the Lord when we were young. That would have been at the time of our baptism. On that day, we became children of God as we were cleansed of the stain of original sin by the waters of baptism and anointed as God’s holy people with the sacred chrism.
As children of God, we are to live a certain way. We are to reject the call of this world we live in which is steeped in sin. Embracing the will of God, we are challenged to be witnesses of God’s saving love.
In order to do all of this, we need God’s help. This feast, then, reminds us not only of our wonderful heritage but also of the mission that has been entrusted to us and our need to ask God to aid us so that we may accept the responsibilities of being a Christian.
We know that, by ourselves, we will not be strong enough to face the world and set a good example. That is why we rely on God because, with God, all things are possible.
FAITH ACTION: While you are praying, renew your baptismal promises.
Do you reject Satan?
And all his works?
And all his empty promises?
Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?