According to an ancient tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary was presented and offered to God in the Temple by her parents as that she might be educated there. The Feast of the Presentation today commemorates this dedication of herself to the service of God by our Blessed Lady.
Luke 19:45-48
"My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves." (Luke 19:46)
As it was a profanity of the sacred to exploit and defraud worshippers in the outer court of the temple, is it not a profanity of the sacred to approach the inner sanctuary of the church, our own Holy of Holies, the real presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to receive Holy Communion with a soul that has not been cleansed?
In Anglican Catholic cirles very few Parishioners go to confession once per year. In parts of the world where Anglican Catholism flourishes, such as in Africa and South America the situation is different , because vocations are flourishing.
Of all the Anglican Catholics, who attend Mass every week, can we say of them that they are all in a state of grace ?
Do none of them ever use contraception, ever take the Lord's name in vain, ever miss Mass on a Sunday or on a Holy Day of Obligation?
Today we celebrate the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple. She, who was conceived without sin, was dedicated totally to the Lord when still a small child.
Keeping in mind our own need and call to be holy in God's sight, let us plead with the Holy Spirit, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, that He guide us to build and renew the Church with faithful Anglican Catholics who worship in spirit and in truth.
(John 4:24)
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo Australia
