Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Readings for the Memorial of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary
Reading 1 RV 5:1-10
I, John, saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne.
It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.
Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice,
“Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
was able to open the scroll or to examine it.
I shed many tears because no one was found worthy
to open the scroll or to examine it.
One of the elders said to me, “Do not weep.
The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed,
enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals.”
Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne
and the four living creatures and the elders
a Lamb that seemed to have been slain.
He had seven horns and seven eyes;
these are the seven spirits of God sent out into the whole world.
He came and received the scroll from the right hand
of the one who sat on the throne.
When he took it,
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders
fell down before the Lamb.
Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense,
which are the prayers of the holy ones.
They sang a new hymn:
“Worthy are you to receive the scroll
and break open its seals,
for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God
those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation.
You made them a kingdom and priests for our God,
and they will reign on earth.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia PS 95:8
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 19:41-44
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace.” // Luke 19:41-42
I was annoyed. I had a lot to do that day. Errands to run, meetings to prepare for, and dinner to cook. But she lingered in my entryway after returning a borrowed book, making small talk while our children settled into playing.
I could tell she wanted to talk. To really talk. I just wished I had prior notice.
But my glance swept over the sign above our front door. It reads: “There is always room in the inn.” We placed that there as soon as we moved in because we want to live with open hearts and homes. And, clearly, I need the reminder to prefer others to myself.
Convicted, I invited her in for some tea and a sit. She confided the struggles of her heart, and we were able to spend lovely, encouraging time together.
Jesus makes a clear connection in today’s Gospel: “what makes for peace” is “recognizing the time of your visitation” (see Luke 19:41-44).
We lack peace when we lack the vision to see His visitation to us in others. Do I want to be annoyed by the Lord showing up? Do I want to dismiss Him because I have “more important” things to tend to?
Of course not. And so I must train myself to set aside my scurrying and stuffing so I can slow down enough to see Who is actually before me.
When I saw my acquaintance’s visit as an interruption, I was agitated. When I reframed it and saw it as a visitation, I was joyful.
Friend, we want to do great things for God, and, really, it is not complicated. Will we accept God’s will in our lives as revealed in the present moment? Will we recognize His visitation in the events and people before us this very day? Or will we be like Jerusalem, rejecting Him because He does not come when and how it is convenient or ideal for us?
Today, look at your life with fresh eyes. Look for Jesus in everyone you encounter and every task that comes your way. He is visiting you, and in this is your peace.
Olivia Spears lives in Kentucky, where sweet tea and bourbon flow like milk and honey. She holds degrees in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and works from home while enjoying her children and husband. She curates relevant and inspiring content for Catholic women as Blog Manager. She is the narrator of Set a Fire, And Hay Became Holy, and All She Had as well as a contributing author for Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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