21st Nov - MARY AT THE AGE OF 3

Joachim and Ana lived in Jerusalem near the Sheep  Gate, where was the pool called Bethesda surrounded by five covered colonnades (John 5,2).

 In their humility, they prayed with tears that God would bring joy to their old age with the gift of a child. Mary was full of grace, blessed among women (Luke 1,48), the temple of the Holy Spirit, altar of the living God, table of the living bread, "stairway resting on the earth , with its top reaching to heaven" (Genesis 28,12),miraculous pool where the disabled people received spiritual health.

When Mary had reached the age of three, her parents took her to the Temple to give her to the service of God in fulfilment of their promise. Behind them walked many of their kinsfolk and friends, all bearing lighted candles.

"Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house,

The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is the lord.

The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift, men of wealth will seek your favor" (Psalm 45,10 - a poem to the king on the occasion of his wedding. While this psalm was written for a historic occasion, it is also seen as a prophecy about Mother of God, or Christ and his bride, the Church)

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