Tradition has it from one of the apocryphal Gospels that Ann and Joachim presented Mary in the Temple, as evidently customary, for a period of service and education. Even though there is no basis in history for this Memorial, it stresses her dedication to God from the beginning; God dwelt in her in a marvelous manner and prepared her for her unique role in God's saving work.
The Gospel relates the story of the widow presenting her two small coins into the "collection box", causing Jesus to remark at how this small mite meant so much, "more than all the rest." (Lk 21: 3). When I would visit the homes of the "workers" at the school in Rwanda on a Sunday afternoon, I would be given the ONE folding chair to sit on, while the family sat on the floor, and soon a bottle of Coca Cola "for the American" would arrive. These poor people stretched their last franc to buy me a coke! Humbling, yes, and giving a deeper dimension to "thank you", for sure. If God so appreciated the widow's last two coins, how much more did he appreciate the little girl on the steps of the Temple!
We might ask ourselves what we can give today from our own need and poverty to help others appreciate their worth and the love God has for them.
Bro. Rene
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