The liturgical calendar, as it leads us through the Feria V after the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, brings us to contemplate the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This beautiful feast offers an opportunity to reflect on her role in salvation history and her unparalleled holiness, drawing from the readings of Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16 and Luke 11:27-28. Both passages illuminate the nature of Mary’s sanctity and her role as the living Tabernacle of the Divine Wisdom.
Ecclus 24:14-16 – Mary, the Root of Wisdom
“I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress tree on Mount Sion. I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in Jericho: as a fair olive tree in the plains, and as a plane tree by the water in the streets. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatical balm…”
This text, part of the Church’s traditional reading in praise of divine wisdom, has often been interpreted by the Church Fathers as typological of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, renowned for his Marian devotion, writes:
“As the cedar in Lebanon excels all other trees in height, so does Mary, raised to the heights of heaven, excel all others in her purity and virtues. Like the cypress, she stood upright, unswerving in faith, hope, and charity. And like the rose, she exudes the fragrance of holiness, drawing souls to Christ, the true Spouse.”
The imagery in Ecclesiasticus of the plants thriving in various locations points to the universality of Mary’s influence. She is the olive tree of peace, extending her maternal care to all who call upon her, and the “rose plant in Jericho,” blooming in the arid spiritual deserts of fallen humanity. Through her fiat, she became the Mother of God, embodying the divine wisdom that brings life to the barren.
Luke 11:27-28 – True Blessedness
“And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.”
This Gospel passage provides a profound insight into Mary’s true greatness. At first glance, Our Lord seems to downplay His Mother’s physical maternity, but the deeper meaning reveals her higher dignity. Mary’s greatest glory is not merely that she bore Jesus in her womb, but that she perfectly “heard the word of God and kept it.”
The Fathers of the Church, including St. Augustine, emphasize this dual blessedness of Mary. St. Augustine comments:
“Mary is more blessed in receiving the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ. Her physical maternity would have profited her nothing had she not also borne Him in her heart.”
In this sense, Mary exemplifies the ultimate response to Christ’s words. She not only bore the Word Incarnate in her womb but also gave her continual fiat in her life, surrendering herself entirely to the will of God. St. Leo the Great adds that she is the model for all Christians who strive to “bear Christ” in their hearts through faith and obedience.
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – A Model of Consecration
The Presentation of Mary in the Temple, celebrated on this day, recalls the tradition that Mary was dedicated to God from her earliest years. She entered the Temple as a child, prefiguring her complete consecration to the divine will. The Church Fathers see this act as symbolic of her immaculate purity and total availability to God’s plans.
St. John Damascene reflects on this event, noting:
“She was offered in the Temple as a spotless victim, entirely dedicated to the service of the Lord. Even as a child, she surpassed the highest orders of angels in her humility and love.”
Her Presentation foreshadows her role as the living Ark of the Covenant, the dwelling place of God among men. By reflecting on this feast, we are reminded to offer ourselves completely to God, following Mary’s example of unwavering faith and self-surrender.
Conclusion: Imitating Mary’s Fiat
As we meditate on these Scriptures and the feast of the Presentation, the Blessed Virgin Mary shines as the model of wisdom and faith. Ecclesiasticus 24 exalts her unique place in salvation history, while Luke 11 teaches us that her true blessedness lies in her fidelity to the Word of God.
The Fathers invite us to imitate Mary by embracing God’s will in our own lives. St. Ambrose writes:
“Let the soul of Mary be in each one of us to magnify the Lord; let the spirit of Mary be in each one of us to exult in God.”
May we, like Mary, be living tabernacles of Christ, consecrated to His service, and faithful to His word. Through her intercession, let us strive for the holiness and wisdom that leads us to eternal union with her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.