Today, we celebrate that dedication of herself which Mary made to God from her very childhood under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who filled her with grace.

In the 1974 encyclical, Pope Paul VI wrote that "despite its apocryphal content,

it presents lofty and exemplary values and carries on the venerable traditions having their origins in the Eastern churches.

  

 Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

2 Maccabees 6:18-31*

Eleazar, one of the prominent

Teachers of the Law, already old and of noble appearance, was forced to open his mouth to eat the flesh of a pig. But he preferred to die honorably than to live in disgrace, and voluntarily came to the place where they beat him to death. (...) Those in charge of this impious banquet took him aside, since they had known him for a long time, and tried to convince him to pretend to be eating the meat, but in reality, to eat something allowed by the Law and prepared by himself.

 

(...) But he preferred to make a noble decision worthy of his age, of his noble years, of his shining white hair, and of the irreproachable life he had led from childhood. Above all, showing respect for the holy laws established by God, he answered that he would rather be sent to the place of the dead. (...) Having said this, he gave himself over to death. (...)

 

Ps 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 The Lord upholds me.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊      

Luke 19:1-10

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man named Zaccheus lived there. He was a tax collector and a wealthy man. He wanted to see what Jesus was like, but he was a short man and could not see him because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree. From there he would be able to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house today." So Zaccheus climbed down and received him joyfully.

 

All the people who saw it began to grumble, and said, "He has gone as a guest to the house of a sinner." But Zaccheus spoke to Jesus, "Half of what I own, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much." Looking at him Jesus said, "Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham. The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

 

"We too need conversion so that people will not  be led astray by our actions."

Today's readings present two men who serve as excellent role models, though for very different reasons. Eleazar is a community leader, respected by all. He is offered a chance to fake a sacrifice to the Greek gods and avoid torture and martyrdom, but he refuses so that he will not lead others astray. Zacchaeus, on the other hand, is an outcast, a tax collector known for collecting more than his due. After encountering Jesus, by climbing a tree along Jesus' path, Zacchaeus changes his life and decides to live justly, giving back more than he has taken.

 

Most of us are a mixture of Eleazar and Zacchaeus. We do many good things and have earned the respect of our friends and neighbors. But we also have flaws, sinful behaviors for which we need to repent. We too need conversion so that people will not be led astray by our actions. May we have the courage of Eleazar and the humility of Zacchaeus,