Presentation of the Lord 2 February 2025
The Jews had to offer their first-born sons to God, as a sign of their gratitude for being set free from Egypt (Ex 22,28-29). That son could be called the ‘price’ of salvation.
Jesus was a first-born son, and He was the price of salvation, not only for His family, not only the Jews, but for all people.
We no longer offer our first-born sons, but Jesus Himself. We offer Him in gratitude for being set free (from sin and death), and in atonement for our sins.
All the while we maintain an attitude of humility towards God. We remember our smallness in relation to Him.
We acknowledge our dependence on Him. He is the maker of all, and we must be prepared to give up anything we have, even our own life.
Mary and Joseph lived with these attitudes anyway, but for others there may be different points where we have to make changes.
We give back to God whatever He might ask of us. We can reach a point where we are glad to give back to Him, rather than clinging to what we have.
We see in the lives of the saints how they always wanted to do more for God. Many of the saints desired martyrdom. Why would anyone want that?
When we love enough, we do not count the cost.
Abraham was ready to give up his son, Isaac (Gen 22,1-19). He did not argue when told to sacrifice his son, even though it did not seem to make much sense, given that the same son was promised by God.
Abraham’s faith was being tested. God does not always ask for the hardest possible option; but He does ask us to be willing to give whatever He asks, without complaint or resistance.
There is a story in the book of Maccabees about a mother who had seven sons, and they were all put to death before her eyes, one by one to increase the anguish. She encouraged the sons to go through with their ordeal. She loved God more than she loved her own preferences (2 Macc, chapter 7).
This is where we must be.
On the contrary, many people give up faith in God when stricken with some kind of loss, leaving them bewildered and grieving. Why would God do such a thing? We may not know.
We can ask, but it should be in a respectful way, recalling that all things come from God and belong to Him. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Jb 1,21).
Mary felt the full force of Simeon’s prophesy but did not recoil from what lay ahead.
Not only should we accept the Lord’s wisdom we should rejoice in it, be thankful. We say thanks be to God regardless of circumstances.
He is the same God; he does not diminish, nor forget, nor go back on His word.
The human race has been very fickle with God. He is trying to help us to trust Him.
Mary was faithful all the way to Calvary, and beyond. She knew her Son was God's Son first, and she could live with that. She never doubted God or grumbled in her heart, for taking away what he had given.
Her faith was in God Himself, not for some particular set of events.
The things He give us might disappear but God Himself never.
He tests our faith to make it stronger, knowing that our greatest happiness lies there.
He wants everyone to be like Our Lady having real faith, without bitterness.
How can we acquire such faith? Ask and you shall receive. (Keep asking!)
