Thursday – Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary

Gospel – Luke 19:41-44

Rise and Shine!

Church of Dormition, Jerusalem

 

Every day of our lives, sunny or cloudy, stressed out or relaxed, we all rise and face a new day. Especially when we were little and getting ready for school, I can remember always standing before my mom as she made sure I was prepped and ready for the day.  Shoes were shiny, shirt tucked in, hair combed, and school bag packed.  She wanted to be sure we were ‘presentable’! 

Today’s Feast of the Presentation of Mary is based on an ancient tradition that says Mary was taken up to the Temple in Jerusalem when she was 3 years old and dedicated by her parents, Joachim and Anna,  in service to God.  It is a recognition of Mary’s holiness from conception to Assumption and her faithfulness to the will of God.

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus at one of His most human moments.  He is entering Jerusalem for what He knows is the last time.  His suffering and death await!  And when He sees the walls of the city, He weeps!  Not for what He is about to endure, not for the pain and betrayal and denial that are coming!  He weeps for the people, for all the people who “didn’t recognize the time of His visitation”.  He weeps for all those who missed out!  He loves us all so dearly that He is heart-broken over especially those who deliberately chose to ignore the opportunity to see Him and follow Him.

Are we missing out today?  What prevents us from seeing Jesus in our life, from recognizing His loving presence?  What obstacles are there that block us from Him?  Are they removable? Did we place them there ourselves?  What opportunities await us today that could draw us closer to Him?  Are we going to miss out on something life-changing today because we are focused on something else much less important? 

 
God help us today to see You with the eyes of faith and not miss the opportunity to feel Your love and presence!

 

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