As we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple, what can we learn? First of all, in spite of the privilege that Mary and Joseph have been given, the gift of the Son of God, they remain obedient to the Covenant Law of the Chosen People. Mary completed her forty days of purification after the birth of Jesus. Mary and Joseph offer the sacrifice of redemption on behalf of Jesus. There example should spur us on to greater obedience to the will of God in our own lives. As a result of their obedience, they were given another revelation into God's plan for Jesus. He will be a sign of contradiction, namely, he will embrace the cross, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness and weakness to the Gentiles. But this sign of contradiction would be our salvation. At the same time it is revealed to Mary that she will share in Jesus' death, a sword of intense sorrow will pierce her heart. Obedience to God's will is not always pleasant and easy, but it is the only way to deeper relationship with God.