DAILY- HOMILY

November 21, 2018 – WEDNESDAY, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Memorial. White.

Rv 4: 1 - 11 I Mt 12: 46 - 50

The Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary originated from the second century apocryphal source, the Proto-evangelion or Book of James, and the dedication on 21 November 543 of the basilica of St. Mary the New in Jerusalem.

FROM THE 1ST READING:             Rv 4: 9- 11

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to the One on the throne, he who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him and worship the One who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns in front of the throne and say, Our Lord and God, worthy are you to receive glory, honor and power! For you have created all things; by your will they came to be and were made.

GOSPEL READING:           Mt 12: 46- 50

While Jesus was still talking to the people, his mother and his brothers wanted to speak to him and they waited outside. So someone said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are just outside; they want to speak with you."

Jesus answered, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "Look! Here are my mother and my brothers.. Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is for me brother, sister or mother."

REFLECTION

In the first reading we see God in glory in heaven.

According to tradition, at the age of three, Mary was brought by her parents Joachim and Anne to the Temple at Jerusalem to present and consecrate her to the service of the Lord. She remained there in prayer and service until she was betrothed to Joseph. As we celebrate the presentation of the young child Mary, we recall the key role of parents in the proper rearing of their children.

In the Gospel reading Jesus seems to be undermining his family connections by putting more importance on his mission than on his family. His words are not meant to minimize the importance of family: he sought to strengthen the family by saying that whoever does the will of the Father is "for him [me] brother, sister or mother."

We have not chosen our own family: we were born in our family. In today's reading Jesus declares as his family "whoever does the will of the Father." Because we who strive to be his followers and strive to do his Father's will are indeed privileged to be his "brother, sister or mother." Do we appreciate his graciousness and making us his family?

They say that blood runs thicker than water, that family relationships are indeed very important. How important to us then to be Jesus' family by whose blood we have been redeemed..

Have a good day!

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