Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Photo: Vatican News)
First reading Apocalypse 14:1-5
The redeemed have Christ and his Father’s name written on their foreheads
In my vision I, John, saw Mount Zion, and standing on it a Lamb who had with him a hundred and forty-four thousand people, all with his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. I heard a sound coming out of the sky like the sound of the ocean or the roar of thunder; it seemed to be the sound of harpists playing their harps. There in front of the throne they were singing a new hymn in the presence of the four animals and the elders, a hymn that could only be learnt by the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the world; they follow the Lamb wherever he goes; they have been redeemed from amongst men to be the first-fruits for God and for the Lamb. They never allowed a lie to pass their lips and no fault can be found in them.
Responsorial Psalm 23(24):1-6
Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord.
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas;
on the waters he made it firm.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Gospel Luke 21:1-4
The widow’s mite
As Jesus looked up, he saw rich people putting their offerings into the treasury; then he happened to notice a poverty-stricken widow putting in two small coins, and he said, ‘I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them; for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on.’
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Following the footsteps of Mother Mary: To do God’s will
In today’s gospel, Jesus’ family was trying to speak to Him, but Jesus took the opportunity to redefine who He considered His family to be. He stretched out His hand towards His disciples and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sisters and mother”. Today, we are part of Jesus’ family when we seek to do God’s will and make His kingdom a reality in our lives.
It must not be easy for Mary to hear what Jesus had to say. However, it was a concrete moment for Mary to do God’s will by loving Jesus selflessly and letting Him live His life according to God’s purpose. Mary, the model disciple, was always open to doing the Father’s will, even though she did not fully understand. Let us ask Mother Mary to accompany us and help us to seek to do God’s will and become brothers and sisters of Jesus.
Reflective question:
What does it mean for me to be a member of Jesus’ family?
What does it mean for me to be a member of Jesus’ family?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
