This Sunday our Liturgy celebrates the Presentation of the Lord, which illustrates Mary and Joseph following the Jewish tradition presenting the male child to the Lord and consecrating his life to God. While there are many, many theological points which one may focus on for the homily, perhaps one is to view and consider the commonality of all parents in the raising of their children in faith—and to note that like all parents today—there is a commonality with the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph.

One also that we should consider is that Mary and Joseph like new parents today and all parents throughout history never had a “training program” for parenthood. And the same holds for parents today—unless its court mandated. Certainly we’ve all experienced some parenthood “training” by our own experiences in watching how our parents raised us—and our perspectives are formed by what we thought they did well or not so well—but one might say those considerations are skewed by the perfect science of hindsight.

However, we also can see the wonders and worries of Mary and Joseph that might have crept into their minds after Simeon and Ana spoke about their child—today parents might have similar worries or concerns after one receives feedback from a medical or academic professional pronouncement about “our” children. Mary, we are told, would have her heart pierced and feel the sadness and sorrow which her Son would experience in the world. That might resonate with many a mom or dad today.

As we listen to the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the Temple, perhaps one direction these readings might point us towards is to be in prayer with all parents—young, old and in-between—that we pray for good health of their children and family, that we ask for the Lord to protect all children, and that their parents are indeed not only the “first of teachers in the
ways of faith, but also the best of teachers in the ways of faith” by living as examples to inspire their child in faith all the days of their lives; and, that we pray in a particular way for parents of children with special or  other needs, that they be seen and loved for who we all are, children of God, with their own unique gifts and talents and that like all of us, have been created for a reason, we are all part of God’s Plan. Kevin Dowd, Ph.D. candidate and recent guest speaker to our Confirmation candidates and their parents, said to the candidates that Christ has asked each one of them— and us—if we will “...finish my (His) work.” That question is asked of us that we will use the gifts and talents which God gave each of us in this time and place to make His Plan of Salvation come to be. It is all part of God’s gift of Free Will.

May our prayer be that that faith and each child flourishes and is guarded and promoted by their parents, our Church, our faith—and all of us.