Feast of the Presentation of the LordMalachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 Luke 2:22-40 When the days were completed for their purification * according to the law of Moses, they took him up toJerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," 24 and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 5 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, * and the holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: 29 "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory or your people Israel." 33 The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted 35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) * so hat the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town ofNazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. The first reading is this: Malachi 3:1-4 Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. 3 He will sit refining and purifying (silver), and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. 4 Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in days of old, as in years gone by. The second reading is this: Hebrews 2:14-18. 14 Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. 16 Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; 17 therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. MEDITATION: The Gospel on Feb 2 each year is about Mary presenting her child in the temple. It was the Jewish way of recognizing that life is from God and belongs to God. Such presentation was the norm for all Jewish newborns of the time, as was our baptism as babies in the modern Church. As we admire Mother and Child, we should renew the presentation of ourselves. I came from God, and so did you, but do we really present ourselves as children on the way home to God? It's clearly 'prophesied' by Jesus himself, but do we give faith a good chance? The Gospel mentions that old Simeon recognised this special appearance of the Messiah (Lk 2:25). Jesus prophesies clearly to us that we can follow him. Do we really recognize that? It's up to us. But are we ready and willing to do whatever God wants? Mary knew well that the arrival of Jesus was the confirmation of God's promise, but Jesus then spent his life trying to convince us that we have the same destination. But it's up to us to arrive at that destination. The journey brings challenges. The first reading prophesies Christ's coming as a refining fire etc… Mixed metals can be purified. We all need to be refined by the challenges of Jesus - to love as He loved. We can become 'works of art' - of Divine art. 'But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears?'. Maybe we're not so tremendously strong and upstanding at present, but we can grow up. The mass of this Feast traditionaly begins with a little procession of candles, which symbolises the way Simeon describes Christ as 'the light to enlighten the gentiles' but that's more than just a memory of the past. Each of us is then supposed to spread the Light of Christ throughout this dark world. Let's live like children in the arms of Mary so that we can be presented too. .......... Dara. En ESPAÑOL: Feb 2º Fiesta de la Presentación del Señor: Mal 3:1-4, Heb 2:14-18. Lc 2:22-40. El Evangelio de Feb 2º cada año es de María presentando su niño en el templo. Era la forma Judía de reconocer que la vida viene de Dios y pertenece a Dios. Tal presentación era lo normal para cada recien nacido judío del tiempo, como era nuestro bautismo como niños en la Iglesiamoderna. Pero al admirar Madre y Hijo, podemos estar también renovando la presentación de nosotros mismos. Yo soy creado por Dios, y tu también, pero ¿realmente nos presentamos como hijos en camino al hogar? Es claramente 'profetizado' por Jesús mismo, pero ¿realmente damos buen oportunidad a la fe? El Evangelio dice que el viejo Simeón reconoció la llegada especial del Mesías (Luc 2:25). Jesús nos profetiza claramente a nosotros que podremos seguirle al cielo. ¿Reconocemos aquello de verdad? Depende de noso tros. ¿Estamos realmente dispuestos a hacer lo que sea que Dios quiere? María sabía bien que la llegada de Jesús era la confirmación de la promesa de Dios, pero Jesús pasó la vida intentando convencernos a nosotros que tal destino es nuestro. Pero nos toca a nosotros llegar allí. El viaje trae desafíos. La primera lectura profetiza la venida de Cristo como fuego refinante etc.. Piensa en cómo metales mezclados pueden ser refinados. Necesitamos todos ser refinados por los desafíos de Jesús - a amar como Él amó. Podremos ser 'obras de arte' - de arte divino. 'Pero ¿quién sobrevive el día de su venida? Y ¿quién está de pie cuando aparezca?'. Quizá, ahora mismo, no estamos tan fuertes y de pie, pero podemos madurar. Tradicionalmente, la misa de esta fiesta empieza con una procesión de velas que simboliza cómo Simeón habla de Jesús como 'la luz para alumbrar a los gentiles'. Pero es más que un recuerdo del pasado. Cada uno de nosotros está llamado a difundir La Luz de Cristo por este mundo oscuro. Vivamos como jóvenes en los brazos de María, para poder ser presentados también.
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