by Theresa Cavicchio, OFSThe Memorial the Church presents to us on November 21st is not to be confused with the Feast we celebrate on February 2nd, the Presentation of Jesus. The Presentation of Mary at the Temple foreshadows that of the infant Son she would bring there years later with Joseph, her husband.
A teaching on this topic by the Very Rev. Chris Alar of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception offers numerous insights into more than one aspect of this date on the Church calendar. A selection follows.
~ While the Presentation of Jesus is recorded in the Gospel according to Saint Luke (2:22 – 38), that of Mary is not found in Sacred Scripture. It is based on the account given in a 2nd century apocryphal writing entitled the Protoevangelium of James, considered historical although not canonical.
~ A quote from the Saint Pope Paul VI encyclical Marialis Cultus on the Protoevangelium of James states: “Despite its apocryphal content, it presents lofty and exemplary values and carries on the venerable traditions having their origins in the Eastern Churches.”
~ So the Memorial of the Presentation of Mary spans both the Eastern and the Western “lungs” of the Church. In the East, its roots can be found in antiquity. It is entitled the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, reminding us that the young girl Mary had been chosen, set apart, to bear the very Son of God. In the Eastern Church, it is a major feast.
~ Today’s Memorial reflects the deep desire for a child of Saints Joachim and Ann. Elderly and barren, they made a solemn promise to God that if a child were given to them, that child would be dedicated to the Lord in return.
~ This hearkens back to the Old Testament account of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:1 – 2:11). Hannah, barren and sorrowing, traveled to the Temple to beg the Lord for a child. Her request granted, she gave birth to Samuel, and once he was weaned, she dedicated him to the Lord, leaving him to live at the Temple.
~ Similarly, their prayer having been answered, Saints Joachim and Ann brought Mary, age 3, to live at the Temple. There she would remain in prayer and contemplation, growing in holiness, for a number of years, until being entrusted to Joseph.
~ Saint Alphonsus Liguori viewed Mary’s Presentation as the foreshadowing of her fiat, her willing participation in the will and the plan of God.
~ Saint Teresa of Avila reflected on Mary’s time at the Temple as schooling her in the contemplative life, symbolically ushering her into what Saint Teresa termed the interior castle of the soul. She regarded Mary’s life as the perfect example of humility and purity.
~ Saint John Eudes observed that Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering her mission as Mother of God. Her exemplary virtues – humility, obedience, submission to God’s will – make her a model for all the faithful to emulate.
For purposes of this overview, we can visualize this chapter in the very early life of Mary as fitting preparation for the unique and critical spiritual role she would play in the Incarnation as Mother of the Savior. We can see it as a time of her receptivity to an abundance of graces, enabling her to cooperate fully in the plan of salvation history.
There is an additional spiritual significance to the date of November 21st. In 1953, Pope Pius XII instituted Pro Orantibus Day or the World Day of Cloistered Life to be observed on that date. Father Alar characterizes this as “a day of prayer for cloistered religious totally dedicated to God in prayer, silence, and concealment.”
On this day, the faithful are encouraged to remember the countless men and women who have dedicated their lives to the work of prayer in convents, cloisters, and monasteries. Just as Mary was set apart in God’s holy house, to focus totally on Him and discernment of His will, so do consecrated religious separate themselves from the world in a life of devotion to God through contemplative prayer and silence. We can give them the support of our prayers in return.
Possible take-aways from our commemorations on this day:
~ Nurture a deeper love for Mary in recognition of her total self-giving to God and His will throughout her life.
~ Take a purposeful step toward silent contemplative prayer, following the example of those who know it as their lifeblood.
May our reflection on the significance of this Memorial propel us forward on our own spiritual journey, with Mary as our guide.
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