Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Presentation of Mary 
at the Temple" 
by Giordano, Luca, 1672-74

Proper for the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Readings for Saturday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Commentary:

 

Reading 1: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13

 

Commentary on 1 Mc 6:1-13

 

The historical events published in this selection set the stage for the final battle between the Gentiles of the Seleucid Kings and the Jews.  This passage paints a picture of the evil king being thwarted in his plans for domination. He recognizes, according to the chronicler, that he had wronged the Hebrews. He nonetheless sends his forces against Maccabeus (Judas).

 

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 9:2-3, 4 and 6, 16 and 19

 

R. (see 16a) I will rejoice in your salvation, O Lord.

 

Commentary on Ps 9:2-3, 4 and 6, 16 and 19

 

Psalm 9 is a song of thanksgiving. In these strophes thanks is given to God for His support in the face of oppression. The enemies are thrown down and the faithful triumph through God’s grace.

 

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Gospel: Luke 20:27-40

 

Commentary on Lk 20:27-40

 

The Sadducees' question, based on the law of levirate marriage recorded in Deuteronomy 25:5 ff, ridicules the idea of the resurrection. Jesus corrects their grave misunderstanding of the resurrection. He then argues on behalf of the resurrection of the dead on the basis of the written law that the Sadducees accept. He uses Exodus 3:2, 6 as an example of the Heavenly Father being God of the living who have passed from this life to the next.

 

This passage also relates the idea that the risen body is glorified. He states that the body is brought to a glorified state, free of the burdens of age or deformity (“…for they are like angels”). No longer is there earthly need for marriage, that purpose being the continuation of the species. It is not necessary because there is no death in the Heavenly Kingdom.

 

CCC: Lk 20:36 330; Lk 20:39 575

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Reflection:

 

As we look at the whole picture of our celebration this day we see the nearly infinite combinations of scripture and saintly examples that provide us daily with a different lesson.  The reading from Maccabees tells us the story of the evil King Antiochus.  His attempts to spread his domination of the region by force are stopped in the East as he tries to take Persian treasure.  He then learns that the Hebrews to his West, whose cities he had conquered and whose Temple he had sacked had also risen up unexpectedly and thrown back his armies.  The king, we are told, was so depressed over these defeats that he sank into an illness that would ultimately take his life.  He recognized that what he had done was wrong (we remember this is a Hebrew recalling these events) and even so lashes out one more time against them.  God strengthens Judas and these designs are turned back as well.  God supports his faithful, even against staggering odds.

 

This has happened many times throughout the history of the children of Israel.  The psalm response sings about it in earlier times: How God’s salvation is always at hand for those who are faithful to Him and trust in his strength.  How many times has he shown this?  Yet still there are those who would believe that he does not exist, that his promises are hollow.  Look at the Sadducees in the Gospel.  They challenge Jesus using their narrow understanding of Mosaic Law. 

 

Unlike some who would use this as a story about divorce, the meaning behind this story is our belief in the resurrection.  The resurrection is our great hope and the promise made by God, sealed in the Blood of His only Son.  It is the final promise, the ultimate gift, the lasting proof of God’s great love for us.

 

We couple all of these lessons and place on top of them the example of strength that faith in the promise of the resurrection can give to those who believe.  We pray today that we may also have that strength and faith in the face of any obstacles we encounter.

 

Pax

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[1] S.S. Commemoratio

[2] The picture is "Presentation of Mary at the Temple" by Giordano, Luca, 1672-74