Delivered by Stella Wijaya from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 1 Maccabees 4: 36-37.52-59; Rs psalm: 1 Chronicles 29: 10.11abc.11d-12a.12bcd; Luke 19: 45-48.

A WORTHYOFFERING TO GOD

The title forour meditation today is: A Worthy Offering to God. Today the whole Church commemorates the Presentation of the Blessed VirginMary to God. This event is not found in scriptures, but is part of the Church'ssacred tradition and history. The little Mary who was offered in the temple ofGod, was a continuation of her special gift, that is, she was conceived withoutsin because she had been chosen by God from the beginning of her life.

The Church believes that from the beginning the wombof the pregnant mother who conceived  Mary was sacred. Born holy, Mary must had enteredthe womb of the communion of God's people which God has ordained from thebeginning in the eternal communion of the holy Trinity. Mary then lived a life inthe fullness of God's grace, until the moment she received the heavenly goodnews to make her the Mother of God, and took a very important role in the lifeof Jesus Christ.

God chose Mary is purely an act of his divineinitiative. In response to that initiative, Mary as a person and all those whotake part in her mission gratefully dedicate their whole lives to God. Thus theevent of Mary’s presentation to God must be the primary model for all humanself-offering to God, and the sign of that offering is seen when a person is consecratedin the house of God through an official rite.

There are somany means, rituals and places that are sanctified to help us purify ourselvesbefore God. One of them is holy worship which is celebrated to give offeringsof gratitude and praise to God. In the first reading it is said how JudasMaccabees with the Jews who were obedient to God consecrated the altar andjoyfully offered sacrifices to God. Jesus once came to the temple and cleansed itbecause it was used as a marketplace by the Pharisees and the Jews. The holytemple was defiled with shameful worldly activities.  This desecrated temple could no longer be themeans and rituals of sanctification in the moments when God and his peopleencountered.

Sacred meansand instruments are not the purpose of our faith. They are very important and haveroles in helping us to achieve the goal, which is to meet God and live withHim. Our important task is to cleanse it from desecration, use it as we should,teach it to those who do not yet know, and when necessary, repair as it isbroken, and maintain it with responsibility.

Letus pray. In the name of the Father ... O most holy Lord Jesus Christ, sanctifyus always every time we pray and prostrate in the presence of the heavenlyFather to receive all the blessings. Hail Mary, full of grace... In the name ofthe Father ...