PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Like Mary, The Widow Gave All To God
Introduction
There is no indication whatsoever in the scriptures that Mary was presented in the Temple. But this pious legend wants to state something real: that Mary followed her Son, that her mentality and attitude was that of Jesus, and that like her Son she was entirely set on seeking God’s will in everything. She was a true relative of Jesus, also mentally, spiritually, in the spirit of the gospel of today.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God,
you know and you love us;
like Mary we know that whatever happens to us
we are in your hands.
Wherever you lead us,
you know here you want us to go.
We ask you for trust and faith.
Make your will our will,
that you may lead us to your home
under the guidance of him
who did your will in everything
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
1 Reading REVELATION 14:1-3, 4B-5
I, John, looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing water or a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been ransomed from the earth. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the first fruits of the human race for God and the Lamb. On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.
Responsorial PSALM 24:1BC-2, 3-4AB, 5-6
R. (cf. 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers. R.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain. R.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his saviour.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. R.
Alleluia MATTHEW 24:42A, 44
Alleluia, alleluia.
Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LUKE 21:1-4
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
Intercessions
– Lord, we pray you for widows and orphans. Keep them from despair and make us attentive to their need of love and compassion, we pray:
– Lord, we pray you for all the poor who are insecure about the next day. May we bring them security and love, we pray:
– Lord, we pray for this community. Make us learn from the poor to be generous enough to share not only from our abundance but also, when needed, from our own poverty, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Almighty Father,
this bread and this wine
are signs that with Jesus and with Mary
we are ready to seek your will.
Allow us to share his table
as his brothers and sisters
and to follow him on his loyal way
to you, our God for ever. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Lord, our God and Father,
with Mary we want to be
your true relatives, your mother,
your brothers, your sisters.
Make us capable of seeking your will
with the eagerness of Mary,
who did all the common tasks uncommonly well
because she knew she was serving you
as she served Jesus and his mission
with all that was in her.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
Christ gave his own self to bring others reconciliation and happiness. Christians should learn from him to give themselves without counting the cost, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!