a mother to remember
"Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother..." —2 Maccabees 7:20
It's likely that Mary, Our Lady of Presentation, knew the story of the Jewish mother and her seven martyred sons (2 Mc 7:1-41). Note the similarities between these two heroic mothers:
- Both mothers educated their sons (2 Mc 7:27) and passed on their extraordinary faith to their sons.
- Both passed on to their sons remarkable bravery based on an unshakable hope in the Lord (2 Mc 7:14).
- Both watched their sons die brutal deaths for their faith in God (2 Mc 7:20; Jn 19:25), yet each "bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord" (2 Mc 7:20).
- Both rejoice forever with their sons in heaven (2 Mc 7:29).
It's easy to picture Mary encouraging her crucified Son with these words of this Jewish mother as she watched from the foot of His cross: "I do not know how You came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life...[The Lord,] in His mercy, will give You back both breath and life, because You now disregard Yourself for the sake of God" (2 Mc 7:22-23).
Jesus has charged Mary with being our mother (Jn 19:26). She who was presented to the Lord in the Temple now presents us unfailingly to God in prayer with her motherly love. The Lord uses Mary to transmit great faith to her children in time of trial. Satisfy Jesus' thirst (Jn 19:28). Receive Mary's help.
Prayer: Jesus, in giving Mary as my mother (Jn 19:26), You gave me more than a great sum of money (Lk 19:13). I will embrace and use this gift so as to bear the return You expect.
Promise: "Whoever has will be given more, but the one who has not will lose the little he has." —Lk 19:26
Praise: Mary, Our Lady of Presentation, "trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled" (Lk 1:45).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 2007
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.