"THE LIGHT OF THE NATIONS"
First Reading : Mal. 3: 1-4
Second Reading: Heb. 2: 14-18
Gospel Reading : Lk. 2: 22-40
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Malachi. The Prophet speaks of a day when suddenly the saviour of the world will come to His temple. He is coming to live among His people and purify their hearts and make them dear to God. This prophecy of Malachi finds its fulfillment when Jesus was presented by His parents at Jerusalem temple.
* Second reading is from the letter to the Hebrews. The author speaks of Jesus' assuming human nature in order to make us free for God and for one another.
"My Eyes have Seen Your Salvation"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The Gospel gives a detailed account of what happened in Jerusalem temple when Jesus was presented.
1. First part of the Gospel tells us that Jesus was presented in the Jerusalem temple according to the law of Moses. Parents of Jesus brought Him to Jerusalem temple in humble obedience to the Mosaic law; in order to submit to the ritual purification and to present and to redeem the first born by sacrificing two turtile doves
2. Second part of today's Gospel tells us about the prophetic scene; when the venerable old Simeon took the child into his arms, praised and thanked God and declared that this the light which shall give revelation to the gentiles. (This idea finds its echo in today's liturgy of blessing of candles)
Then prophetess Anna too came there and gave thanks to God and spoke of the child as one who will bring redemption of Jerusalem.
This feast of Presentation of the Lord should help us to recoginize God when He appears in humility and simplicity as recognized by Simeon and Anna.
"Behind the idea of presenting a child is the conviction that every new life comes from God and is in some sense belongs to God" - Kieran J. O'Mahony
First Reading : Mal. 3: 1-4
Second Reading: Heb. 2: 14-18
Gospel Reading : Lk. 2: 22-40
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Malachi. The Prophet speaks of a day when suddenly the saviour of the world will come to His temple. He is coming to live among His people and purify their hearts and make them dear to God. This prophecy of Malachi finds its fulfillment when Jesus was presented by His parents at Jerusalem temple.
* Second reading is from the letter to the Hebrews. The author speaks of Jesus' assuming human nature in order to make us free for God and for one another.
"My Eyes have Seen Your Salvation"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The Gospel gives a detailed account of what happened in Jerusalem temple when Jesus was presented.
1. First part of the Gospel tells us that Jesus was presented in the Jerusalem temple according to the law of Moses. Parents of Jesus brought Him to Jerusalem temple in humble obedience to the Mosaic law; in order to submit to the ritual purification and to present and to redeem the first born by sacrificing two turtile doves
2. Second part of today's Gospel tells us about the prophetic scene; when the venerable old Simeon took the child into his arms, praised and thanked God and declared that this the light which shall give revelation to the gentiles. (This idea finds its echo in today's liturgy of blessing of candles)
Then prophetess Anna too came there and gave thanks to God and spoke of the child as one who will bring redemption of Jerusalem.
This feast of Presentation of the Lord should help us to recoginize God when He appears in humility and simplicity as recognized by Simeon and Anna.
"Behind the idea of presenting a child is the conviction that every new life comes from God and is in some sense belongs to God" - Kieran J. O'Mahony
