This coming week we see the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. What is it about? The Law of Moses required that 40 days after the birth of a child a mother had to be ritually “purified” (the origin of the old custom of a woman being “churched” after childbirth), and a first born male child had to be dedicated to God. This dedication could be redeemed where the child could be “bought back”. Richer people would offer something like a goat, poorer people would offer turtle doves or pigeons, as in the case of Mary and Joseph. What was the point of this? Well, I guess it reminded people of their dependence on God for the special things in their lives also their duty to him. Perhaps its worth asking ourselves if we are aware of our dependence on God and how dutiful we are to him in loving Him and each other. Maybe take a moment to thank God for what you have and do something to help your bothers and sister in need, such as a contribution to our SVP collection boxes at the back of the church.

 

God Bless

Fr Chris