The Presentation - February 2

Hello Everyone:
Happy Feast Day! This day has so much to celebrate. Here we will talk about the actual event of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Purification of Our Lady in relation to our Holy Communions.

The Jewish law required that forty days should pass from the birth of the new-born son to the Mother's purification and the offering of the child to God in the Temple. Mary and Joseph went to the Temple with Jesus along with two pigeons which was the offering of the poor. That magnificent Temple which was the pride of Isreal where the religious rites and holocausts were offered to God belonged to this Child and the sacrifices were offered to Him.

Mary alone was able to know of the greatness of the Gift which She was presenting to God; and together with Jesus She also offered Herself. If only we too, in imitation of the Blessed Virgin, were able to offer ourselves entirely to God without ever taking back our donation.

I just recently celebrated my 60th birthday. With tears I went on retreat and lamented that I have squandered both time and grace. How much time is left for me? If I had only given MY ALL when I knew to. This is a message for all of us - to give our All  - to not be afraid of suffering or sacrifice. To seize the moment and do all we can to save souls and spread the Flame of Love to all with the message of God's hope and love. But we do not think of this and we remain in our poverty consuming our strength without getting rich - rich in God's grace.

Beginning this day of the Presentation-- may all of us at each and every Mass - offer ourselves to the Father through Mary during the Elevation when the priest offers Jesus to the Father. The Presentation occurs at each Mass. We have close to us an infinite treasure from which we can draw a heap of gold with only the trouble of gathering it in union with Jesus and Mary for the world.

Simeon had the privilege of seeing the Baby Jesus and rejoicing that his prayer was answered that he should see the Messiah before God called him home. We are more privileged that Simeon - we receive Him into our hearts at Holy Communion. Simeon only took Jesus into his arms.

As Carmelites -In our union with Jesus in Holy Communion, may we always be mindful that a sword had pierced Our Lady's Heart over the prophesy of Christ's suffering and death on that very day of the Presentation. May we always unite our sufferings with Hers and may She sanctify them and offer them to the Father mingled in the Blood of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we not waste another moment - may we live In Jesus through Mary at the Presentation.

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