In regard to the Feast of the Presentation to the Temple, which we celebrate tomorrow on Feb. 2nd, we should see the acts of obedience of Mary and Joseph as something in which we are called to participate. Yes, women who have given birth present themselves to the Church with their newborn child for a blessing on the 40th day. Yet, not just new mothers, but all of us should imitate this sacred obedience in a way.
First, consider that each of us is unworthy of entering the true Temple of the Lord in Heaven. Yet we are invited to enter that Temple in union with Mary, our Panaghia and Blessed Mother. It was her consent to the will of God at the Annunciation that opened the door of God’s grace to all of us, enabling us to be presented to the Heavenly Temple by grace. With her, we are now able to appear before God, purified and washed clean through the sacred water of baptism.
Now, whenever we enter the Church sanctuary, we should do our best to present ourselves holy and pure—i.e., properly prepared—especially when we intend to commune. When we depart, we should do so with the words of the Prophet Symeon, as every priest does when he departs the sanctuary:
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to thy people Israel.”