From the Parish Priest – Fr. Romey Rosco
This holy day of the Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple can tell much to those of us who refuse to take such celebrations for granted and who value the role of the Blessed Mother in our own lives and faith.
First of all, it teaches us the importance of early religious training in the life of a child. Our children should be accustomed to church, not simply as a place of entertainment (leave the toys at home), but God’s House, a holy place; a place to meet the Lord and feel “at home” with Him; a place to learn how to love Him as He loves us.
The child who is brought regularly to church from an early age is indeed blessed. Just as Mary’s relationship with the Lord was formed in the Temple, so is ours formed in His Holy Church. Yes, you can be with the Lord anywhere. But he set apart a “holy space” and He says: “Come worship Me. Put no other gods before Me. I will be your God and you will be my people.” We need to be taught that, before we grow up with other ideas about Him.
What else can we learn from this holy day? Mary’s life in the Temple was not a lonely one. She lived in community with others. There were other women who also lived at or around the Temple in that time, just as there are nuns who serve the Church today. She learned first of all from the Lord (as we all should) through prayer and worship.
But she also learned about the unity of the Church of God – the importance of worshipping God not only on our own behalf, but for others, too. When she was visited by the Archangel at the Annunciation, she offered herself to God’s will for the purpose of saving all mankind. Her offering was an act of worship, glorifying God’s will for all.
The Blessed Virgin was prepared for what lay ahead of her. She knew what she would have to face, and she bore it all with humility, a humble worship of the Lord. Yes, she placed herself in harm’s way many times as her Son faced the accusations of many. She never left Him. She faced His Cross and His empty grave, and she was rewarded for her role in God’s Saving Work.
From The Weekly Bulletin, Vol. XXXI No. 46, 21 November 2004
Sts. Peter & Paul Romanian Orthodox Church, Dearborn Heights MI
