THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MEMORIAL, FRIDAY OF THE THIRTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, NOVEMBER 21, 2025

MASS READINGS

(Readings for today's Memorial)

Gospel

Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you. "But he said in reply to the one who told him, "Who is my mother?  Who are my brothers?" And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother."

REFLECTION

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

St Alphonsus Liguori in The Glories of Mary introduces us to his extensive knowledge through ancient tradition, faith and contemplation on the Blessed Virgin Mary.

From the beginning of her life Mary knew God. From conception she received the perfect use of reason, dedicating her whole life to His love and glory.

Her parents had promised God that if He should grant them a child, the child would be consecrated to His service in the temple. When Mary knew of this she wished solemnly to offer and consecrate herself to God by presenting herself to Him.

So at the age of three, she and her family walked the eighty miles from Nazareth to Jerusalem with the holy angels accompanying them. She ascended fifteen steps and presented herself to the priest in the house of the Lord. Tradition has it that the priest was Zachariah.

Her intent was to dedicate her whole life to the service of God in the temple. She grew in virtue, practicing perfection. By her presentation in the temple, Mary set herself apart from mankind in preparation to be the Mother of God.

God does not accept a divided heart but wishes complete consecration to His love. May we gain a fervent heart to God through Mary as she has shown us how to do His Will.

Dear Mary, help us to have pure intentions in our thoughts and deeds, single mindedly focusing on Him alone.

The Magnificat... The Prayer of Mary

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the might from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of His servant Israel for He remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.

Will we imitate Mary, living wholly for God, loving for God?

God Bless You