Saturday 21^st November – Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reflection: Zechariah 2: 14-17

YOU ARE THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYES

Growing up in the traditional African setting; where beautiful community life is practiced, it is common to have children engage in ‘street fights’. In many of such cases, the mothers of the children are thrown into conflict as they fight tooth and nail in support of their children; even when they are obviously at wrong. Partiality is not a virtue, but any true African mother would understand. For each mother, her child is the apple of her eyes, and she would do anything for this child.

More than an only son is to his African mother; you are the apple of God’s eyes and He has promised you His unending love and protection. Anyone could argue that is unfair that it was God’s will for the sinless Jesus to bear our sins, suffer and die (2 Corinthians 5: 21); but that is what God’s love is: ‘amazing’.

Beloved, see how much God loves you and learn from His mother; Mary to love God in your neighbour as Christ commanded. Today, as we celebrate the Feast of her Presentation, she tells us as always: “Do whatever He tells you.” (Jn 2:5)

PRAYER: Dear God, teach us to love as you love us. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 33 – What does it mean to say that God is love?

If God is love, then there is nothing created that is not carried and surrounded by his infinite benevolence. God not only declares that he is love, he also proves it: “Greater love has no man than, this that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

HIDE A TREASURE: “This is love: not that we loved God but that he first loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if such has been the love of God, we, too, must love one another.” John 4: 10-11 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Zechariah 2: 10-13; Luke 1: 46-55; Matthew 12: 46-50