Wednesday, February 01, 2017
THURSDAY, PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
February 2, 2017 – THURSDAY, PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
Feast, White
Mal 3: 1 - 4 I Heb 2: 14- 18 ILk 2: 22- 40
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is also known as Candlemas.
Gospel Reading: Lk 2: 22- 40
When the day came for the purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought the baby up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the Law of the Lord: Every firstborn male must be consecrated to God. And they offered a sacrifice as ordered in the Law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
There lived in Jerusalem at this time a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel and he had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord.
So he was led into the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law. Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God, saying, "Now, 0 Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen your salvation, which you display for all the people to see. Here is the light you will reveal to all the nations and the glory of the people Israel."
His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "See him; he will be for the rise or fall of the multitudes of Israel. He shall stand as a sign of contradiction, while a sword will pierce your own soul. Then the secret thoughts of many may be brought to light."
There was also a prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. After leaving her father's home, she had been seven years with her husband, and since then she had been continually about the Temple, serving God as a widow night and day in fasting and prayer. She was now eighty-four. Coming up at that time, she gave praise to God and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When the parents had fulfilled all that was required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their town, Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew in stature and strength and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon him.
REFLECTION
The different characters in today's Gospel reading about the presentation of the child Jesus at the Temple can teach us many things. We see the humility of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in their faithfulness to the laws and traditions of their Jewish faith. Unlike them, do we at times feel a sense of entitlement because of who we are or what we have in our various relationships with people or institutions? Do we humbly and faithfully accept the teachings of the Magisterium of the Church and the various traditions of our Catholic faith?
We also see the faithfulness of Simeon and Anna and their openness to the Holy Spirit which led them to the Temple and enabled them to recognize the promised Messiah among them.
Are we able to discern or see the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives and of those around us? Can we see the presence of God among us in the way we celebrate the liturgy and sacraments, especially the Eucharist? Do we see and serve God in our brothers and sisters, especially in those disadvantaged and in need?
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
GIRLIE E. DUENAS
PAUL MATIHEW G. YTURZAITA
STEPHANIE BRAGANZA
CARLOS ROY P. BILLONES
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
DELFIN & JOSITA ABADCO
HELEN & VICTOR YAO
IN MEMORIAM (+)
VALENTINO CHAO (FEB 14, 1957-FEB 2, 1983)
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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