Nov 21, 20232 min read

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

READINGS

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

REFLECTION

Have you accepted the Call? Do you hear Jesus calling you?

Zaccheaus was a short Jew and wanted to see Jesus, so he climbed a Sycamore tree. Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy.

Overjoyed that Jesus chose to visit him, he was willing to give half of all he owned to the poor and to repay anyone he cheated as a tax collector four times more. What blessings he received! Jesus came to save him.

Today the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the age of 3, Mary was consecrated to God and brought to the temple to serve Him. Her parents, St. Ann and St. Joachim, could not have children and prayed to one day have a child. St. Ann promised God that she would dedicate her child to Him. Her prayer was answered and she gave birth to a special child, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A few years later, Mary was called by a messenger of God, Archangel Gabriel, who asked her to be the Mother of God's Son. Her answer was, "Let it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:26-38) Mary answered God's call with a "yes."

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Today is the eve before FACE ZBS (Face-to-face, ZOOM Bible Study). This is a call to learn about the Sunday Gospel from the Biblical perspective. It is a call to think critically about Jesus' message to us. You will be able to ask questions about the Gospel teaching from an expert, a theologian, Father Michael J. Truongluan Nguyen, C.Ss.R. Here is the invitation to join us on Wednesday, Nov. 22nd, at 12:00 pm (CST). We hope you answer the call with a "yes."