Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

They were hanging on every word of Jesus. The leaders of the people could find no way to put him to death because of the peoples interest and focus on listening to Jesus.

It says so much about the leaders. Religious leaders who lived for scripture and the law of God wanted to put to death this man. That in itself speaks volumes about their true character and true understanding of their own God. Human life was demeaned by them.

In addition, they had contempt it seems for the people and rejected the people who sought out Jesus and listened carefully to his message.

So they had no love in their heart for people at all.

Their own ambitions and status stood in their way of seeing that this was the Messiah right in front of them.

Clearly their job was less about the faith and worship and serving God and more about serving their greed and ambitions and nothing that shook their place in society could be accepted.

Leaders by their very nature, whether in business or government or the church should always seek to live out the faith and order their life and work not on ambitions and greed and their own needs but the needs of those they serve. No one could out do Jesus in being a servant for all mankind. The greatest of all. The King of the universe became lowly and gave his life for those he was responsible for. What a stark contrast to the leaders in the Gospel.

Today on the Presentation of Mary we see she also lived by doing what was best for others above her own needs. She endured shame so she could bring God into our world. She suffered and as Simeon told her at Jesus own presentation in the temple, her heart would be pierced by a sword as she watched her son hang on the cross.

What kind of leader are we today?

For as disciples of Christ, we are all called to lead others to Jesus. Are we giving up what we need, so others have what they need? Do we listen as the Holy Spirit moves within our life so we can understand how better to live and serve others? Always ready to sacrifice or even accept loss for others who are brought to our path and life who need our help too?

Let us not treat our faith and worship as a cold business that only serves our needs. We can get off track if we do that. We must take the love and blessings and use them for others. That’s what Mary did and what her son came to do for all mankind.