The Presentation of Mary

According to the Roman Breviary this feast commemorates the dedication of the Church of St. Mary built in Jerusalem near the site of the temple. With Christians of the East, the Latin Church also recalls on this day the tradition according to which Mary, as a small child, was presented to the Lord by her parents in the Temple.

In a way this feast anticipates that moment when the Angel Gabriel appeared to her and told of God’s favor, of the awesome role God had in mind for her. “You shall conceive and bear a Son...the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” And to this grace beyond all understanding Mary replied,“How can this be” and then with trusting surrender  “Let it be done to me as you say!”

How could this feast of the Presentation of Mary anticipate the Annunciation? It seems to me that there is a kind of betrothal that happens. It is not unlike two families coming together to pledge an espousal for the future. In this case there are Mary's parents, Joachim and Ann and, if you will, the family of God, the Most Holy Trinity. Something most unique, yet to
be revealed, has happened.

Could it not be said that it was a kind of ceremony that Mary had been spoken for? The wondrous favor of God rested upon her long before this moment; in her Immaculate Conception, God has chosen her, favored her. As Zechariah prophesied, “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! See I am coming to dwell among you.”

Mary’s fiat is found not only in the angel’s visitation but also as St. Matthew reports, “She did the will of the Father” and as St Luke writes of her, “She pondered the Word.” She bore the mystery of being chosen and in that she speaks to us, she invites us , calls us to ollow her example, humbly given. We too have been spoken for; we belong to God, we are His. In this Our Lady speaks to us, “Because you too are chosen, spoken for then ‘Do whatever He tells you’.” What could be clearer than that - to ponder having been chosen and to live this grace faithfully and gratefully - truly a mark that our lives are Marian directed and Jesus focused.