PRESENTED BEFORE, NOW A PRESENT

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mt 12:46-50

For us, Filipinos, who are very much attached to our mothers, the reaction of Jesus today in the Gospel may sound rather disconcerting. Was Jesus disrespectful or at least unappreciative of Mary, His mother? Was He against giving Mary utmost veneration despite Mary’s being His mother? Do the anti-Marians find an ally in Jesus in their crusade against Mary?

No, Jesus was not neither disrespectful nor unappreciative of Mary, His mother in the Gospel today. He was not against venerating Mary as His mother. Jesus is not ally of anti-Marians. He never will be.

When Jesus seemed to give no particular attention about the presence of His mother and instead threw the question on the floor “And who is my mother”, Jesus was actually putting Mary right at the center as an example for all of us. They who hear the word of God and keep it are Jesus’ mother, brothers, and sisters. They who listen to God and obey His will are the ones truly related to Jesus. And Mary, more than anyone, next only to Jesus her Son, is the epitome of faithful obedience to God. First among equals, Mary shows us the real meaning of being related to Jesus: becoming like Jesus Himself who is the Father’s obedient Son.

Two thousand years ago, the Blessed Virgin Mary was presented to God in the temple. Today, she is presented to us by Jesus not only for veneration but for emulation as well. Mary is God’s present to us. She is Jesus’ gift to us.