Gospel: February 2, 2025

February 2, 2025 (Sunday)

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Psalter: Proper / (White)

Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10

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

1st Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

2nd Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 (or 2:22-32)

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 shall 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, O 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 the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”

His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Know this: your son is a sign; a sign established for the falling and rising of many in Israel, a sign of contradiction; and a sword will pierce your own soul, so that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.”

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 84.

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.

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Lectio Divina

“For… my eyes have seen your salvation.”

Read: Christ is the glorious light of the world. The Lord is entering his Temple. He is recognized by Simeon and Anna, but his light and glory go unseen by most people.

Reflect: Imagine the scene of the crowds of people: the sacrifices, the smoke, the sounds, the smells. And amid all this commotion, two people enter with their baby boy. Perhaps there were others that day doing the same thing. And yet, when Mary and Joseph enter, carrying the baby Jesus, Simeon recognizes that this is the child he has been waiting for, and he cries to God in joy, “Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for … my eyes have seen your salvation.” The long-awaited Savior had arrived, but most eyes didn’t spot him. Why did Simeon and Anna see him? Because they were dedicated to looking for him. They had consecrated their lives to God, and they were alert to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Pray: As Christ is consecrated wholly to his Father’s will for our salvation (cf. Jn 17:18), we offer ourselves to his service and to praise him for his mighty works.

Act: On this Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, pray for more vocations and thank a religious sister or brother you know for their commitment to Christ.