Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Nov. 21: Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today’s feast is something we know must have happened; Mary, being a jew born near the end of the first century BC, would definitely have been presented at the temple. The specific event wasn’t recorded in the canonical Gospels, however, so none of the readings reflect the memorial.
Still, tradition1 holds that Mary's parents, Joachim and Anne, had been childless, until an angel appeared and told them they would have a daughter. In thanksgiving, they brought her to the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her to God. She remained at the Temple for a long while, so she could be educated and prepared for her role as the Mother of God.
“The heavens opened up,” Saint Francis de Sales said, and the whole choir of angels “leaned over the balustrades of the heavenly Jerusalem to see and admire this darling child.”
Reading 1
2 Mc 6:18-31
Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man of advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he spat out the meat, and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture, as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the food which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life. Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately, because of their long acquaintance with him, and urged him to bring meat of his own providing, such as he could legitimately eat, and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice prescribed by the king; in this way he would escape the death penalty, and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him. But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner, worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood; and so he declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God.
He told them to send him at once to the abode of the dead, explaining: "At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many young people would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age. Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty. Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws."
Eleazar spoke thus, and went immediately to the instrument of torture. Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed, now became hostile toward him because what he had said seemed to them utter madness. When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned and said: "The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that, although I could have escaped death, I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging, but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him." This is how he died, leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation.
The stories of Eleazar (and more in the Maccabees) are among the earliest models of “martyrology.” They were written to encourage God’s people in times of persecution, particularly the Greeks and Romans. Prior to this time period, Jews didn’t believe in an afterlife,2 so it made little sense to die without a practical purpose.
Here, however, Eleazar refuses to violate God’s law for two reasons—his own soul, and the souls of the younger generations. As an old man, he is an example. Should he try to extend his own life by just a few years, and in doing so, sacrifice his own children and grandchildren?
It’s better for both him and them that he died a martyr.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. The Lord upholds me.
O LORD, how many are my adversaries!
Many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"There is no salvation for him in God."
R. The Lord upholds me.
But you, O LORD, are my shield;
my glory, you lift up my head!
When I call out to the LORD,
he answers me from his holy mountain.
R. The Lord upholds me.
When I lie down in sleep,
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
I fear not the myriads of people
arrayed against me on every side.
R. The Lord upholds me.
Like Eleazar, the Psalmist is being persecuted. He’s no strong enough or powerful enough to resist on his own. He calls out to God, and rests confidently, knowing God will protect him.
Alleluia
1 Jn 4:10b
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God loved us, and sent his Son
as expiation for our sins.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Mary was born sinless, the only human to be granted that grace by God. But Mary’s life wasn’t for her own sake, just like Eleazar’s death wasn’t for his. Jesus was born of Mary for us.
Gospel
Lk 19:1-10
At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house."
And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over."
And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."
This story is only found in Luke, as a contrast to the rich young man who didn’t want to give up his possessions3 (who does appear in all three synoptic Gospels). That’s the time Jesus said, “it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Which is one of those quotes used as a cudgel by certain people who like to take quotes out of context—
Which brings us back to today’s Gospel reading—Zacchaeus is a rich man who does pass through the eye of a needle, because of God’s grace. He doesn’t just pay back what he owes to his victims, but he tacks on interest!4
He hurt a lot of people. Asking forgiveness is the beginning of his entry into the Kingdom, but making reparations is the way Zacchaeus demonstrates his sincerity of heart.
Which is why we have penance after confession. Every sin is a sin against God, but most are also sins against our fellow humans. We owe reparations to our own victims, when possible, but we can never “pay back” God. Thus, we owe worship to God, while His forgiveness is something we can’t earn; thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice and through the Holy Spirit, it’s given freely, as grace.
Mary didn’t earn her grace; it was a gift from God. She used it to be the perfect mother to her Lord. What will we do with the grace given us in reconcilliation?
But not official Church teaching, so we’re not bound to believe this.
Which is why there’s so much talk of descendants and land in the Old Testament.
Sort of. Calculating compound interest and stuff wasn’t exactly common knowledge back then.