The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Zechariah 2:14-17 + Matthew 12:46-50

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

Why did Sts. Joachim and Anne present Mary in the Temple?  We could give different correct reasons.  It would surely be true to say that Joachim and Anne, as God-fearing Jews, wished to abide by the Law.  It would likely be true to say that over the courses of their own lives, Joachim and Anne had grown to have an immense devotion to the Temple as the dwelling place of God amongst the Lord’s People, Israel.  As Joachim and Anne presented Mary there, many memories of previous pilgrimages to the Temple must have flooded their minds.

You might meditate on any or all of those true motives in Joachim and Anne’s hearts.  But if you only have time to meditate on one of their motives, I would suggest that you consider that Joachim and Anne presented Mary in the Lord’s Temple that day for the sake of Mary.  For the sake of Mary.

Faith, certainly, moved the hearts of Joachim and Anne that day:  faith in the Lord and His holy Law.  Hope, no doubt, moved the hearts of Joachim and Anne that day:  hope for Mary’s future as the Lord determined it for her.  But love!  Love filled the hearts of Joachim and Anne.  Love created the very person of Mary through an Immaculate Conception.  Love carried Mary to the Temple that day.  Love motivated Mary, some decade and a half later, to respond “Fiat!” to the message borne by Saint Gabriel.  Love is Who Mary conceived when she responded “Fiat!”