Day FIVE
Mary, Lady of the offering
Listening to the Word: The presentation at the temple (Luke 2: 22-32)
And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ……
Reflection: Let us try to stand as spectators at this event: Mary, Joseph and Jesus, a family that goes to the temple to offer the child to the Lord. If we wish to translate this event into our terms, it is a little like a family that prepares to take a child for baptism. We have so often taken part in festivities of this kind. However, let us try to examine the Mother’s heart: she wholeheartedly offers to God the child to whom she gave birth. Are we capable of imitating her in our daily life?
Prayer: Daughter of Sion, Lady of the offering, envelop our hearts so that we may belong to Jesus completely.
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL. PRAY FOR US
We invite you to quietly meditate with this video of the Carmelite Hymn, “Flower of Carmel” produced by Neil Conlisk, O.Carm and performed by Matthew Gummess, O.Carm.