1ST READING
We should reflect on refining the aspects of our lives that need
to be purified before we can receive the gift of eternal life with God. We can
take the risky path and not address our sinfulness here and now and hope that
we will have the opportunity to repent before we die; or we can start the
process of purification and allow the Holy Spirit to burn those tendencies and
habits that are contrary to God’s will.
Malachi 3:1-4
1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will
please the Lord, as in days of old, as in years gone by.
P S A L M
Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10
R: Who is the king of glory? It is the Lord!
7 Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you
ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! (R) 8 Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and
mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. (R) 9 Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in! (R) 10 Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts; he is the king of
glory. (R)
2ND READING
Jesus is fully human. If He did not take on our humanity, then the
link to all that He does with us is broken. His passion, death and resurrection
lose their power in our lives. Our Redeemer is a human being, and that is the
point of His Incarnation. Jesus identifies with our condition, and as one of
us, is able to redeem us through His obedience to the Father’s will. Because
Jesus is also God, His work is perfect and can be applied to all men and women.
He stands in our place and redeems us from our sins.
Hebrews 2:14-18
14 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, 15 and free those who
through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. 16 Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of
Abraham; 17 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. 18 Because he himself was
tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
GOSPEL
Simeon and Anna were not the only ones awaiting their Redeemer
with fervent prayer and hope in God. It should be the same for us. We cannot
leave the work of the Church — prayer and evangelization — only to the clerics
and religious. We have to do our part as we await the Second Coming of the
Lord. It is crucial that we participate in the enormous work of the Church.
There are billions of people who still need to hear the Gospel, let alone the
works of mercy and love that still need to be accomplished.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
A light of revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people
Israel.
Luke 2:22-40
22 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, 23 just as it is written in
the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the
Lord, 24 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. 25 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. 26 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. 27 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, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God,
saying: 29 “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in
peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people
Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother were amazed at
what was said about him; 34 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 35 — and you yourself a sword will pierce — so that the thoughts of
many hearts may be revealed.” 36 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, 37 and then as a widow
until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and
day with fasting and prayer. 38 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. 39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of
the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the
favor of God was upon him.
think: It is crucial that we
participate in the enormous work of the Church.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING
LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special
verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Romans 13-16
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