February 2025
Presentation of the Lord Feast
First Reading: Malachi 3: 1-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24: 7, 8, 9, 10
Second Reading: Hebrews 2: 14-18
Alleluia: Luke 2: 32
Gospel: Luke 2: 22-40 or Luke 2: 22-32
Also Read: Mass Reading Reflection for 02 February 2025
First Reading: Malachi 3: 1-4
1 Behold I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts.
2 And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller’s herb:
3 And he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice.
4 And the sacrifice of Juda and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24: 7, 8, 9, 10
R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
7 Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
8 Who is this King of Glory? the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
9 Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
10 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
14 Therefore because the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner hath been partaker of the same: that, through death, he might destroy him who had the empire of death, that is to say, the devil:
15 And might deliver them, who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to servitude.
16 For no where doth he take hold of the angels: but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold.
17 Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful priest before God, that he might be a propitiation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that, wherein he himself hath suffered and been tempted, he is able to succour them also that are tempted.
Alleluia: Luke 2: 32
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
32 A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.
R Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 2: 22-40 or Luke 2: 22-32
22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:
23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:
24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:
25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;
30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;
35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.
37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.
38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.
39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.
Or
22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:
23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:
24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:
25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;
30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
CALL TO ACTION:
Summary of the Gospel (Luke 2:22-40 or Luke 2:22-32)
The Gospel passage recounts the presentation of Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem. According to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord and offer a sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. At the temple, they met Simeon, a devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Simeon took Jesus in his arms, praised God, and declared that he had seen God’s salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. Simeon also blessed Mary and Joseph and spoke of the significance of Jesus’ life and mission. Additionally, they encountered Anna, a prophetess who recognized Jesus as the Messiah and spoke about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Lessons Learned from the Gospel
- Faith and Devotion: Simeon and Anna exemplify unwavering faith and devotion. Simeon waited patiently for the fulfillment of God’s promise, and Anna dedicated her life to fasting and prayer. Their faithfulness is rewarded when they encounter Jesus, the Messiah.
- God’s Promises: The passage highlights the fulfillment of God’s promises. Simeon had been promised that he would see the Messiah before his death, and this promise is fulfilled when he meets Jesus. This reminds us that God’s promises are trustworthy and will come to pass in His perfect timing.
- Jesus as the Light: Simeon’s declaration that Jesus is a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel emphasizes Jesus’ role as the Savior for all people, both Jews and Gentiles. This underscores the universal nature of Jesus’ mission and the inclusivity of God’s salvation.
- Recognition of the Messiah: Both Simeon and Anna recognize Jesus as the Messiah through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This teaches us the importance of spiritual discernment and being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in recognizing God’s work in our lives.
- Obedience to God’s Law: Mary and Joseph’s adherence to the law of Moses by presenting Jesus at the temple and offering the prescribed sacrifice demonstrates their obedience to God’s commandments. This serves as a model for us to live in accordance with God’s will and instructions.
These lessons from the Gospel passage encourage us to deepen our faith, trust in God’s promises, recognize Jesus as the Savior, and live obediently to God’s word.
