MEMORIAL OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN THE TEMPLE - Gospel (Matthew 12:46-50)

“For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Mt 12:50)

FIRST READING - 1 Macc 4:36-37, 52-59

"All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven, who had given them success."

A reading from the First Book of Maccabees

³⁶ Then Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary^[a] and rededicate it.” ³⁷ So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion. ⁵² They rose early on the morning of the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, that is, the month of Kislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight,^{[a] 53} and offered sacrifice according to the law on the new altar for burnt offerings that they had made. ⁵⁴ On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had desecrated it, on that very day it was rededicated with songs, harps, lyres, and cymbals. ⁵⁵ All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven, who had given them success.

⁵⁶ For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. ⁵⁷ They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields; they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers and furnished them with doors. ⁵⁸ There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace brought by the Gentiles was removed. ⁵⁹ Then Judas and his brothers and the entire assembly of Israel decreed that every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Kislev, the days of the dedication^[b] of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 12:46-50

"Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother."

✠From the Gospel according to Matthew

⁴⁶ While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. ⁴⁷ [Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.”]^{[a] 48} But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

MEMORIAL OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN THE TEMPLE - Gospel (Matthew 12:46-50)

Dear people of God,

Today, the Church commemorates the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple of Jerusalem.

The Word of God in the Gospel speaks to all humanity: always know how to obey and put into practice the Word that God instructs, for only by practicing according to the Word of God can happiness be brought to humanity, bringing love between humanity and God, as well as love among humanity.

Just as Blessed Mother Mary promptly obeyed the instructions of God the Father. She carried out the prescribed law accordingly, presenting herself in the temple when she reached the designated age.

God is the King of the entire universe, the King of all humanity living in this world.

God is the only One who is present and dwells with humanity.

There is no other deity besides God.

Therefore, humanity should listen to and put into practice the words commanded by God.

God is the Father of all humanity, so everyone is a child of God, a child of a common Father in heaven, and everyone is brothers and sisters to one another; and this Father always desires good things for the children of humankind.

Therefore, today’s Word of God calls on all humanity to listen to and put into practice the words instructed by God the Father.

The Word of God the Father set a shining example through the very person of Jesus Christ, who renounced all glory and honor to descend to earth as a human being and live with humanity.

He sacrificed Himself, died to bring eternal life to humanity.

Whoever is faithful and wise should follow the path of God's light, which is the path of truth, the path of love that God grants to all humanity, and this path of love He has also inscribed in the heart of every person—it is a love directed toward God and neighbor, just as the Blessed Virgin Mary listened to and put into practice throughout her life.

Thanks be to God. Amen.