Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 500
Lectionary: 500
The officers of the
king in charge of enforcing the apostasy
came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices.
Many of Israel joined them,
but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart.
Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:
“You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city,
supported by sons and kin.
Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command,
as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah
and those who are left in Jerusalem have done.
Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends,
and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.”
But Mattathias answered in a loud voice:
“Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him,
so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers
and consents to the king’s orders,
yet I and my sons and my kin
will keep to the covenant of our fathers.
God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments.
We will not obey the words of the king
nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”
As he finished saying these words,
a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all
to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein
according to the king’s order.
When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal;
his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused;
he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.
At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king
who was forcing them to sacrifice,
and he tore down the altar.
Thus he showed his zeal for the law,
just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.
Then Mattathias went through the city shouting,
“Let everyone who is zealous for the law
and who stands by the covenant follow after me!”
Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons,
leaving behind in the city all their possessions.
Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom
went out into the desert to settle there.
came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices.
Many of Israel joined them,
but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart.
Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:
“You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city,
supported by sons and kin.
Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command,
as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah
and those who are left in Jerusalem have done.
Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends,
and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.”
But Mattathias answered in a loud voice:
“Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him,
so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers
and consents to the king’s orders,
yet I and my sons and my kin
will keep to the covenant of our fathers.
God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments.
We will not obey the words of the king
nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”
As he finished saying these words,
a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all
to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein
according to the king’s order.
When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal;
his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused;
he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.
At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king
who was forcing them to sacrifice,
and he tore down the altar.
Thus he showed his zeal for the law,
just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.
Then Mattathias went through the city shouting,
“Let everyone who is zealous for the law
and who stands by the covenant follow after me!”
Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons,
leaving behind in the city all their possessions.
Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom
went out into the desert to settle there.
Responsorial PsalmPS 50:1B-2, 5-6, 14-15
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of
God.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High;
Then call upon me in time of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High;
Then call upon me in time of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
GospelLK 19:41-44
As Jesus drew near
Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
Meditation: "Know the time of your
visitation"
What is
the enemy of peace in our homes, cities, and nations and what keeps us from a
good relationship with God and with our neighbor? When Jesus approached the
city of Jerusalem he wept over it because it inhabitants did not "know the
things that make for peace" (Luke 19:42). Jesus fulfills the beatitude for
those who weep and for those who make peace – "blessed are those who mourn
...blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:4,9). That is why Jesus went to
Jerusalem to be crucified not only for the sins of its inhabitants but to
reconcile the whole world – all who have sinned – with God. Mourning and
weeping over sin and unfaithfulness leads to true peace and reconciliation not
only with God but with our neighbor as well. Do you know the peace which makes
for lasting friendship, joy, and unity?
Jesus'
earthly ministry centers and culminates in Jerusalem, which scripture describes
as the holy city, the throne of the Lord (Jeremiah 3:17);and the place which
God chose for his name to dwell there (1Kings 11:13; 2 Kings 21:4; 2 Kings
23:27); and the holy mountain upon which God has set his king (Psalm 2:6).
Jerusalem derives its name from the word "salem" which
mean"peace". The temple in Jerusalem was a constant reminder
to the people of God's presence with them.
Why does
Jesus weep and lament for this city? It's inhabitants had rejected the prophets
who spoke in the name of the Lord because of their pride and unbelief. Now they
refuse to listen to Jesus who comes as their Messiah – whom God has anointed to
be their Savior and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus' entrance into
Jerusalem was a gracious visitation of God's anointed King to his holy city.
Jerusalem's lack of faith and rejection of the Messiah, however, leads to its
devastation and destruction. Jesus' lamentation and prophecy echoes the
lamentation of Jeremiah who prophesied the first destruction of Jerusalem and
its temple. Jeremiah's lamentation offered hope of deliverance and restoration:
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of
the Lord never ceases, his mercies are new every morning ...For the Lord will
not cast off for ever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love for he does not willingly
afflict or grieve the sons of men" (Lamentations 3:21-22, 31-32). Jesus is
the hope of the world because he is the only one who can truly reconcile us
with God and with one another. Through his death and resurrection Jesus breaks
down the walls of hostility and division by reconciling us with God. He gives
us his Holy Spirit both to purify us and restore us as a holy people of God.
Through Christ we become living temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians
6:19). God has visited his people in the past and he continues to visit
us through the gift and working of his Holy Spirit. Do you recognize God's
gracious visitation today?
When God
visits his people he comes to establish peace and justice by rooting out our
enemies – sin and Satan who enslave us to fear and pride, rebellion and hatred,
envy and covetousness, strife and violence, and every form of evil. That is why
God both judges and purifies his people – to lead us from our sinful ways to
his way of justice, peace, love, and holiness. God actively works among his
people to teach us his ways and to save us from the destruction of sin and
Satan. Are God's judgments unjust or unloving? Scripture tells us that
"when God's judgments are revealed in the earth, the inhabitants of the
world learn righteousness" (Isaiah 26:9). To pronounce judgment on sin is
much less harsh than what will happen if those who sin are not warned to
repent. The Lord in his mercy gives us grace and time to turn away from sin,
but that time is right now. If we delay, even for a moment, we may discover that
grace has passed us by and our time is up. Do you accept the grace to turn away
from sin and to walk in God's way of peace and holiness?
"Lord
Jesus, you have visited and redeemed your people. May I not miss the grace of
your visitation today as you move to bring your people into greater
righteousness and holiness of life. Purify my heart and mind that I may I
understand your ways and conform my life more fully to your will."
 Build Your Life on the Rock That Is Christ |
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Memorial of the
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the
city and wept over it, saying, "If this day you only knew what makes for
peace-- but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you
and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your
children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within
you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."
Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, many times I have overlooked
your love in the circumstances of my life. I know you are always present,
even if I don’t feel your love. This time of prayer is an opportunity to show
you my love, and I truly desire to bring you consolation as you so often
bring consolation to me.
Petition: Heavenly Father, help me to stand firm
amidst the vicissitudes of life.
1. “As for Me and My Household, We Will
Serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
The beauty of this life is that it offers us so many options. We have all been given the grace of free will, and we can choose to do many things. We can choose where we would like to work, where we want to vacation, who our friends are, what we are going to do this very moment. But the most important choice we make in life is to decide whether to love and serve God or to deny him. God’s greatest, natural gift to us is free will, and with it we direct our own destiny. What a truly beautiful soul who chooses to spend his life serving God! Clearly opting for God and his ways gives direction to a person’s life and provides clarity in moments of darkness and trial.
2. The Time to Prepare for a Storm Is
Now: The worst time to
clean out the gutters is in the middle of a thunder storm. And that roof
would have worked a lot better had it been fixed before a week of rain. The
concept of being prepared is so hard for us human beings. Christ told his
disciples, “Watch and pray, that you may not undergo the test” (Matthew
26:41). He was saying, “Be prepared. You never know when temptations or tough
times are going to strike.”
3. Holding the Fort: The spiritual life is a lot like a castle. A
castle has its strong points and its not-so-strong points. It has a moat,
high stone walls and turrets, but it also has a gate made only of wood. Each
of us has one or two things that can be likened to that wooden gate. We all
have our weaknesses, but do we know what those weaknesses are? One of the
keys to being able to resist sin is self-knowledge. If we know ourselves, we
can avoid putting ourselves in compromising situations. We can use our strong
points to fight the enemy and fortify those areas that are the weakest. In
the end, the strongest weapon we have both to resist and to fight is our dependence
on the Lord – our prayer and fidelity to his will!
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I don’t want to base my life just on
feelings and on what makes me happy. I want to live for you, to take a risk
for you.
Resolution: I will start a constant prayer life by
praying the Rosary every day this week.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, LUKE 19:41-44
(1 Maccabees 2:15-29; Psalm 50)
(1 Maccabees 2:15-29; Psalm 50)
KEY VERSE: "If this day you only knew what makes for peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes" (v 42).
READING: Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, (Yerushalaim, from the Hebrew word Shalom: "peace"). Jesus wept over the city's impending destruction just as the prophet Jeremiah did (Jer 14:17). Although divinely favored, Jerusalem would find herself desolate because she rejected the "Prince of Peace" (Is 9:5), and refused to recognize his ministry of reconciliation and his offer of salvation. Four decades later, the Roman army under Titus surrounded the city, breached its walls and killed thousands of its citizens. The city and its Temple were burned to the ground and the survivors were taken into captivity. The heavenly Jerusalem became a spiritual symbol of the place of final judgment for God's enemies and eternal peace for those who believe in Christ (Rv 21:1-27).
REFLECTING: Pray for all of God's cities in the world that are in need of peace.
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to be an instrument of your peace in my community.
November 21, Memorial of the Presentation of
the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Scriptures tell us nothing of Mary's
early life or about her presentation in the Temple. That which is known is
found in the seventh chapter of the Apocryphal gospel of James, which has been
dated by historians prior to the year 200 AD. This book gives us a detailed
account in which Mary's father Joachim told Anna his wife that he wished to
bring their child to the Temple of the Lord, but Anna said that they should
wait until the child was three years old. When the day arrived, the priest received
her, blessed her and kissed her in welcome. He proclaimed, "The Lord has
magnified thy name in all generations. In thee, the Lord will manifest His
redemption to the sons of Israel." Then he placed Mary on the third step
of the Temple and there she danced with joy and all the house of Israel loved
her. It was there in the Temple that she was nurtured and her parents returned
glorifying the Almighty. Although this story is a legend with no
foundation in history, the point of the story is to show that even in her
childhood Mary was completely dedicated to God. However it is from this very
account that there arose the feast of Mary's Presentation.
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
Those who bring thanksgiving honour me.The Maccabees led the revolt against the king of Syria who hoped to destroy any Jews who did not obey his laws of apostacy. They managed to restore the Temple and initiated the feast of Hanukkah, still celebrated by Jewish people today. Jesus foresaw the destruction of the Temple and wept over Jerusalem before he drove the money-makers from the Temple, saying it should be a house of prayer. Mary was presented in the Temple as a prelude to her holy life close to the sanctuary of God. Later, she was chosen to be the sanctuary of Jesus as he was formed in her womb. We should remember always that we are God’s dwelling place as ‘temples of the holy spirit’. Lord, make us worthy to receive you joyfully into every moment of our lives.
November 21
Presentation of Mary
Presentation of Mary
Mary’s presentation was celebrated in Jerusalem in the sixth
century. A church was built there in honor of this mystery. The Eastern Church
was more interested in the feast, but it does appear in the West in the 11th
century. Although the feast at times disappeared from the calendar, in the 16th
century it became a feast of the universal Church.
As with
Mary’s birth, we read of Mary’s presentation in the temple only in apocryphal
literature. In what is recognized as an unhistorical account, theProtoevangelium
of James tells us that Anna and Joachim offered Mary to God in the
Temple when she was three years old. This was to carry out a promise made to
God when Anna was still childless.
Though it
cannot be proven historically, Mary’s presentation has an important theological
purpose. It continues the impact of the feasts of the Immaculate Conception
(December 8) and of the birth of Mary (September 8). It emphasizes that the
holiness conferred on Mary from the beginning of her life on earth continued
through her early childhood and beyond.
Comment:
It is sometimes difficult for modern Westerners to appreciate a feast like this. The Eastern Church, however, was quite open to this feast and even somewhat insistent about celebrating it. Even though the feast has no basis in history, it stresses an important truth about Mary: From the beginning of her life, she was dedicated to God. She herself became a greater temple than any made by hands. God came to dwell in her in a marvelous manner and sanctified her for her unique role in God's saving work. At the same time, the magnificence of Mary enriches her children. They, too, are temples of God and sanctified in order that they might enjoy and share in God's saving work.
It is sometimes difficult for modern Westerners to appreciate a feast like this. The Eastern Church, however, was quite open to this feast and even somewhat insistent about celebrating it. Even though the feast has no basis in history, it stresses an important truth about Mary: From the beginning of her life, she was dedicated to God. She herself became a greater temple than any made by hands. God came to dwell in her in a marvelous manner and sanctified her for her unique role in God's saving work. At the same time, the magnificence of Mary enriches her children. They, too, are temples of God and sanctified in order that they might enjoy and share in God's saving work.
Quote:
"Hail, holy throne of God, divine sanctuary, house of glory, jewel most fair, chosen treasure house, and mercy seat for the whole world, heaven showing forth the glory of God. Purest Virgin, worthy of all praise, sanctuary dedicated to God and raised above all human condition, virgin soil, unplowed field, flourishing vine, fountain pouring out waters, virgin bearing a child, mother without knowing man, hidden treasure of innocence, ornament of sanctity, by your most acceptable prayers, strong with the authority of motherhood, to our Lord and God, Creator of all, your Son who was born of you without a father, steer the ship of the Church and bring it to a quiet harbor" (adapted from a homily by St. Germanus on the Presentation of the Mother of God).
"Hail, holy throne of God, divine sanctuary, house of glory, jewel most fair, chosen treasure house, and mercy seat for the whole world, heaven showing forth the glory of God. Purest Virgin, worthy of all praise, sanctuary dedicated to God and raised above all human condition, virgin soil, unplowed field, flourishing vine, fountain pouring out waters, virgin bearing a child, mother without knowing man, hidden treasure of innocence, ornament of sanctity, by your most acceptable prayers, strong with the authority of motherhood, to our Lord and God, Creator of all, your Son who was born of you without a father, steer the ship of the Church and bring it to a quiet harbor" (adapted from a homily by St. Germanus on the Presentation of the Mother of God).
LECTIO: LUKE
19,41-44
Lectio:
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of all that is good,
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 19,41-44
As Jesus drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears
over it and said, 'If you too had only recognised on this day the way to peace!
But in fact it is hidden from your eyes!
Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognise the moment of your visitation.'
Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognise the moment of your visitation.'
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today tells us that Jesus when arriving close to
Jerusalem, in seeing the city he began to shed tears and to pronounce words
which made one foresee a very dark future for the city, the capital city of his
people.
• Luke 19, 41-42 Jesus sheds tears over Jerusalem. “At that time, when Jesus was near Jerusalem, when he saw the city he shed tears over it and said: ‘If you too had only recognized on this day the way to peace! But in fact it is hidden from your eyes!” Jesus sheds tears because he loves his homeland, his people, the capital city of his land, the Temple. He sheds tears, because he knows that everything will be destroyed because of the fault of his people who were not aware of the call made by God through the facts of life. People were not aware of the way that could lead them to Peace, Shalom. But, in fact, it is hidden from your eyes! This affirmation recalls the criticism of Isaiah to the person who adored the idols: “He hankers after ashes, his deluded heart has led him astray; he will not save himself, he will not think. What I have in my hand is nothing but a lie!” (Is 44, 20). The lie was in their look and, because of this; they became incapable to perceive the truth. As Saint Paul says: “But for those who out of jealousy have taken for their guide not truth but injustice, there will be a fury of retribution” (Rm 2, 8). It is the truth that remains the prisoner of injustice. On another occasion, Jesus complains that Jerusalem did not know how to become aware of God’s visit, nor of accepting it: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! Look, your house will be left to you, it will be deserted” (Lk 13, 34-35).
• Luke 19, 43-44 Announcement of the destruction of Jerusalem. “Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and your children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognise the moment of your visitation” Jesus describes what will happen to Jerusalem. He uses the images of war which were common at that time when an army attacked a city: trenches, killing of people and total destruction of the walls and of the houses. Thus, in the past this is the way Jerusalem was destroyed by Nabuchadnezzar. In this way, the Roman legions used to do with the rebellious cities and this is what will be done again, forty years later, to the city of Jerusalem. In fact, in the year 70, Jerusalem was surrounded and invaded by the Roman army. Everything was destroyed. Before this historical background, the gesture of Jesus becomes a very serious warning for all those who pervert the sense of the Good News of Jesus. They should have listened to the final warning: “Because you did not recognize the moment of your visitation” In this warning, everything which Jesus does is defined as a “visitation from God”.
• Luke 19, 41-42 Jesus sheds tears over Jerusalem. “At that time, when Jesus was near Jerusalem, when he saw the city he shed tears over it and said: ‘If you too had only recognized on this day the way to peace! But in fact it is hidden from your eyes!” Jesus sheds tears because he loves his homeland, his people, the capital city of his land, the Temple. He sheds tears, because he knows that everything will be destroyed because of the fault of his people who were not aware of the call made by God through the facts of life. People were not aware of the way that could lead them to Peace, Shalom. But, in fact, it is hidden from your eyes! This affirmation recalls the criticism of Isaiah to the person who adored the idols: “He hankers after ashes, his deluded heart has led him astray; he will not save himself, he will not think. What I have in my hand is nothing but a lie!” (Is 44, 20). The lie was in their look and, because of this; they became incapable to perceive the truth. As Saint Paul says: “But for those who out of jealousy have taken for their guide not truth but injustice, there will be a fury of retribution” (Rm 2, 8). It is the truth that remains the prisoner of injustice. On another occasion, Jesus complains that Jerusalem did not know how to become aware of God’s visit, nor of accepting it: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! Look, your house will be left to you, it will be deserted” (Lk 13, 34-35).
• Luke 19, 43-44 Announcement of the destruction of Jerusalem. “Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and your children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognise the moment of your visitation” Jesus describes what will happen to Jerusalem. He uses the images of war which were common at that time when an army attacked a city: trenches, killing of people and total destruction of the walls and of the houses. Thus, in the past this is the way Jerusalem was destroyed by Nabuchadnezzar. In this way, the Roman legions used to do with the rebellious cities and this is what will be done again, forty years later, to the city of Jerusalem. In fact, in the year 70, Jerusalem was surrounded and invaded by the Roman army. Everything was destroyed. Before this historical background, the gesture of Jesus becomes a very serious warning for all those who pervert the sense of the Good News of Jesus. They should have listened to the final warning: “Because you did not recognize the moment of your visitation” In this warning, everything which Jesus does is defined as a “visitation from God”.
4) Personal questions
• Do you weep over a world situation? Looking at the present day
situation of the world, would Jesus shed tears? The prevision is dark. From the
point of view of Ecology, we have already gone beyond the limit. The prevision
is tragic.
• In Jesus, God visits his people. In your life, have you received some visit from God?
• In Jesus, God visits his people. In your life, have you received some visit from God?
5) Concluding prayer
Sing a new song to Yahweh:
his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
Israel shall rejoice in its Maker,
the children of Zion delight in their king. (Ps 149,1-2)
his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
Israel shall rejoice in its Maker,
the children of Zion delight in their king. (Ps 149,1-2)
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