'Ot!

In our Gospel today, Mary fulfilled the Jewish rite of purification after childbirth. Since she could not afford the customary offering of a lamb, she gave instead two pigeons as an offering of the poor. The rite, along with the circumcision and the redemption of the first born point to the fact that children are gifts from God. Mary and Joseph raised their son in the fear and wisdom of God. He in turn, was obedient to them and grew in wisdom and grace.