Today, we celebrate the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin in the temple in Jerusalem. Scripture does not mention this event, but it was a custom of later Judaism to present girl babies in the temple for blessing and consecration. For boys this ceremony was prescribed forty days after birth (December 25 to February 2); but for girls, it took place after about eighty days.

The historical fact may be obscure, but the symbolism of this feast is beautiful. Mary was chosen by God from all eternity to be the Mother of His own beloved Son. She must have been formed from her earliest days for this greatest of all roles in the drama of salvation. The Presentation symbolises that work of the Lord in preparing her for her unique role.

The Gospel chosen for today, however, warns us not to honour her simply because of her dignity as the Mother of the Messiah. Jesus makes clear that her real greatness is not in being His mother, but in being the perfect disciple. And Vatican II echoes this in chapter 8 of the Decree on the Church. Mary is one of us, redeemed by her Son, just as we are. She is not the fourth person of the Trinity; she is, rather, the perfect disciple of her Son. As such she is our model of discipleship. She teaches us how to truly love her Son.