Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Mary heard God's Word and kept it, and so she is blessed." So says St. Augustine. This is the mark of discipleship. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the true model of discipleship. In celebrating the Presentation of Mary we are celebrating the Word speaking to her from the very beginning of her life. Indeed she is the Immaculate Conception; thus the Word of God has spoken clearly to Mary's Immaculate Heart from the very beginning. From her conception she heard God's Word and kept it and so she is blessed. We do not celebrate today that she is the Mother of God; rather that she is a Daughter of God the Father, and a Disciple of God the Son. In this we are called to imitate her. First by acknowledging who we are as sons and daughters of God the Father. Then living accordingly as disciples of Jesus the Son. This feast then is very simple. We celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary who heard God's Word and kept it, and so she was blessed. We commit ourselves to imitating her in living as disciples of her Son in whom we have truly become adopted sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.