November 21, 2005
The Presentation of the Virgin Mary which we celebrate today is described in delightful detail in the so-called “Protoevangelium of James,” an early apocryphal work which was never considered to be part of the inspired Scriptures. In this account, the 3-year-old Mary is set down on the steps of the Temple by her parents Jacob and Anna where she immediately proceeds to do a little joyful dance before the Lord. Although we wouldn’t go to the guillotine defending the details of this story, it is true that the first-born child was presented and consecrated to the Lord according to Old Testament law. Although she was born with the fullness of grace and saved ahead of time in a pre-eminent fashion, it was appropriate for this offering to take place publicly as our Saviour Himself often did things “to fulfill all righteousness.” She who was presented to the Lord was prepared to have the Lord present in her in the most amazing way and He became present in her because she lived in His presence in her daily life. (Yes, like Christmas, it was a great exchange of “presence!”)
Her presence to us lends a tenderness and familiar approachability to the whole work of salvation. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us “For the first time in the plan of salvation, and because the Holy Spirit had prepared her, the Father found a dwelling place where His Son and Holy Spirit could dwell among men” (#721). The humility of His palace, the little maiden from Nazareth, does not frighten us but helps us to approach Him more confidently.
On Saturday evening I look part in a “midnight run” in Manhattan. I wasn’t actually running as if I was late for the NYC marathon. This is what we call a trip (by car) into Manhattan late at night to bring sandwiches and coffee to homeless people who are out on the sidewalks. One of the ladies I met, who was surrounded by boxes and bags like a fortress, was not interested at first in a sandwich or much conversation. When I asked her if she would like a rosary, however, her eyes lit up, and even more when I told her I would bless it for her. She began to rummage through her bags and came up with another rosary in a packet which she also wanted blessed. With that, her suspicions and fears were set aside and she was interested in conversation and the sandwiches. This was a very simple encounter. But again it brings home how Our Lady’s presence in a situation helps to remove our fears so that we can be more present to the Lord and receive His gifts with greater openness and trust.
The Lord is so present with us in our daily lives. Today we ask our Lady to help us to be really present to Him as she was.
Fr. Richard Roemer, CFR
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