By Fr. Sheldon Tabile, O.Carm.

Day 5

July 11

Mary, The Mother who offered Herself to God

Gospel Reading: The presentation at the temple (Lk 2: 22-32)

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

Points for Reflection

To offer oneself to God is a form of worship and sacrifice. Mary is the perfect example for this.
God fulfills His promise. This we see not only in Mary but also with Simeon. Such witnessing of fulfillment of God’s promise led Simeon to peace.
The promise of salvation is fulfilled in Jesus. But its effect continues even up to our time. As God saved the Israelites and the Jews during Jesus’ time, His saving power continues in this time of pandemic.

Fr. Sheldon is Assistant Parish Priest of San Isidro Labrador Parish in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. He is currently a Fellow at the Titus Brandsma Institute in Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.