Wednesday, February 01, 2006
FEAST, PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
FEBRUARY 2, 2006
FEAST, PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
MALACHI 3:1-4
Thus says the Lord God: 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. 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. 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.
Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord, as in
the days of old, as in years gone by.
HEBREWS 2:14-18
Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in
them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of
death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had
been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like
his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and
faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to
help those who are being tested.
LUKE 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the
law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him
to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male
that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, 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. 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.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see
death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 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, he took him into his
arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for
revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The
child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 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 -and you yourself a sword will pierce- so that
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." 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, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never
left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
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.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew
and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon
him.
REFLECTION
Today's Gospel is a story about loving parents, a baby, religious
observance, a visionary holy man, and a wise woman. Being observant
Jews, Simeon and Anna knew the prophecies, they knew that God's promise
would one day he fulfilled, and they were looking for the signs as they
waited. Both of them immediately recognized Jesus as the long awaited
Messiah. Simeon was gifted with the Holy Spirit as he spoke of this
child as a light to the Gentiles and the glory for Israel. Anna lived
her days and nights in worship, fasting, and prayer, in a sense, she
was in the right place at the right time and because she was prepared,
she was able to recognize the revelation of God in Jesus in the Temple
that day in Jerusalem. Are we able to recognize Jesus in our lives
today?
Jesus is present for us in many ways. Yet, we have to admit that our
ability to recognize him is sometimes faulty. Jesus is present in
ourselves, in our family members, in our neighbors, and even in those
we dislike. We have received the gift of the Holy Spirit who will show
us Jesus in ourselves and in others. We are temples of the Holy Spirit
"for the whole Spirit of Christ is in each of the members of the
Church. You have within each of you the grace of God necessary to
recognize Jesus. You only have to extend your arms in love to those
around you if you intend to imitate Simeon and Anna.
If this is difficult to do, remember that Jesus gives you the strength
in this Mass to follow his command that "You shall love the Lord, your
God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength,
and all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself"
(Luke 10:27).
By doing this you are sure to recognize Jesus, as did Simeon and Anna.
Today is also called Candlemas Day. Traditionally, candles are blessed
today in our parishes for use in both the home and the church.
Candlemas Day occurs on the Feast of the Presentation because the holy
man Simeon foresaw that the infant was to be a "light to the Gentiles."
This is the symbolism of the lighted candles we use in our religious
rites and our private devotions.
The light, which is Jesus, we carry at the center of our being. It can
banish all the darkness within us, if we allow it, even from the most
remote corners of our souls. It can also flow out from us, lighting
the hearts of others. Or, we can trim it down, even snuff it out,
allowing the darkness to spread about us and deepen within us. Let us
pray that we shall allow the light of Christ to brighten every dark
corner within us so that, like Jesus, we might be light- bearers to the
world.
POINT TO PONDER
Is Jesus still brightly burning in my life?
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Chris N. Eternal rest grant
unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he and all the
souls of the dearly departed rest in peace.
- for healing of Sister Annie C.
- for the personal intentions of Fr. Cesar J. Marin, S.J.
- In thanksgiving for the healing and improvement of the injury of Mike
Torres.
- for the personal intentions of Cha and her family.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Justina Vallejo Garcia (+)
- Birthday: Purificacion P. Villegas
- Birthday: John Lim
- In Memoriam (+): Ching Cheng Piou (1925-2000)
- In Memoriam (+): Valentino Chao (Feb 14, 1957 - Feb 2, 1983)
- Wedding Anniversary: Victor & Helen Yao
- Wedding Anniversary: Delfin & Josita Abadco
- for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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