Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": Presentation of Mary

November 21, 2013: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings

1 Mc 2:15-29 Mattathias and sons gather. Officers enforcing apostasy: “Obey as others have done and be rewarded.” Mattathias: “No; we'll keep to the covenant.” He kills Jew who offered sacrifice and messenger forcing them, invites city to flee with him, leaving possessions.

Ps 50:1b-2, 5-6, 14-15 "To the upright I will show the saving power of God." God the judge has summoned the earth. “Offer praise as your sacrifice to God; fulfill your vows. I'll rescue you.”

Lk 19:41-44 Jesus wept over Jerusalem: “You didn't recognize the time of your visitation. Your enemies rise against you, hem you in, smash you.”

Reflections

Pope Francis audience: Feast of Presentation of Mary in the Temple is “Pro orantibus [for those who pray] day”; thank God for, pray for, and support contemplative religious order members who, in monasteries and hermitages, dedicate themselves to God in prayer and silent work.

Creighton: Imagine Jesus weeping over Jerusalem or our world, grieving out of compassion. Pope Francis: "Culture makes us live in soap bubbles, insensitive to others' suffering. We've forgotten compassion/'suffering with,' the ability to weep. Pray for grace to weep over cruelty and indifference, for forgiveness of those with anesthesia of the heart." Mary, you said "yes" so that your Son could. Place us with him so we might be freed from indifference, grow closer to his heart, love, be moved by suffering, and be instruments of compassion, healing, and peace—with tender hearts that grieve for others.

RC.net: What is the enemy of peace in our homes, cities, and nations? What keeps us from good relationships with God and neighbor? Do I recognize God's visitation? Do I accept the grace to turn away from sin and to walk in God's way?

Universalis: Feast celebrates Mary’s “dedication” of herself to God from infancy, inspired by Spirit, whose grace filled her since her conception.

Marian retreat, day 17, per Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Her visions: suffering crowd with poor and children calling, “Save us; bring us to Jesus”; Mary saying, “Take care of them; they're mine; carry Jesus to them; fear not”; Mary holding Teresa, near Jesus: "Will you take care of them, bring them to me?” Mary brings us face to face with the love in the Heart of Jesus crucified.