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Saturday, February 1, 2014

FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD - February 2, 2014



FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
February 2, 2014


GOSPEL READING: 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.

FIRST READING: 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.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10

R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!

R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.

R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!

R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.

R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

SECOND READING: 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.

Source: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020214.cfm



Ngayong Kapistahan ng Pagdadala kay Jesus sa Templo, dalhin din po nating muli ang ating sarili sa Diyos nang matalik na nakaugnay kay Jesus, kasama ni Inang Maria at ni Joseng amain natin.  Tayo pong lahat – pari at layko – ay padalisayin nawa ni Kristo.  Tayo pong lahat – pari at layko – ay magsikap na maging mga kalugud-lugod na handog sa Diyos.

Ang mga kandilang binasbasan natin sa Banal na Misang ito ay magpaalala po nawa sa atin na pamalagiin nating maningas ang presensya ni Jesus sa Templo ng ating buhay.  At kung paanong dinala si Jesus sa Templo, dalhin din po sana natin ang liwanag Niya sa buhay ng ating kapwa-tao at sa madidilim na sulok ng mundo.  Bagamat si Jesus po ang nag-iisang Liwanag ng sanlibutan, tayo po nawa ay magsilbing mga kandila na magsisiwalat ng Liwanag na si Kristo.  Pero, huwag lang po sana nating kalilimutan, hindi nakapagbibigay-liwanag ang kandila hangga’t hindi sinisindihan ang mitsa nito.  At sa habang nagbibigay-liwanag, ang kandila ay unti-unting natutunaw.  Nararanasan ng kandila ang kanyang pagka-kandila kapag lamang isinakripisyo niya ang kanyang sarili para sa iba.  Tayo po nawa ay magsilbing mga kandila ng Dakilang Saserdoteng si Kristo Jesus.

PHOTO CREDITS to the rightful owners of the photos used this article.


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