The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020215.cfm) reminds me that we should present and offer ourselves to God and allow Him to purify us.
As we celebrate the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the temple, we are reminded that Jesus is like us in every way except sin. He was presented in the temple, as was customary at that time. In the second reading, we see that he was tempted and suffered on this earth as well, just like us. Being the son of God did not exempt him from feeling what we feel, from going through what we go through. He can realted to us, because he knows what we are going through, and he can help us because he was able to go through all those things.
When Jesus was presented in the temple, his parents were told that things will not be easy for them. Same goes to us as well. Even if we present and offer ourselves to God, things will not be easy from then on. We will experience challenges and hardships, just as Jesus did. However, just as Jesus was able to win over those challenges and sufferings, we too can triumph over them and emerge victorious in Christ. The second reading assures us that because Jesus was tested, he can and will help us who are undergoing suffering.
Not all suffering are bad. Not all suffering are because of the enemy. The first reading tells us that sometimes we suffer because we are being purified. God sometimes allow challenges to strengthen and purify us, just like fire purifies silver. However, just as a silversmith keeps his eyes on the silver being purified, God too keeps his eyes on us as we undergo purification, to be sure we will not be subjected to more than we can handle. He does this until such time that he can see his face in us. And as we become purified, as we become more and more like him, we can please and glorify God more.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for another month. Lord, I pray that you help me surrender and offer myself to you. May I die of myself and present myself to you, and allow you to mold me and live in me. I know that as I surrender, you will purify me, that it can cause pain. I just ask that you hold my hand and never let me go, especially when I feel like giving up and running away from you. May I be faithful and trust in you throughout the process. Amen.
Blessed week!
In Christ,
-g-
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February 2, 2015
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Lectionary: 524
Reading 1 Mal 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 Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10
R. (8) 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!
Reading 2 Heb 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.
Alleluia Lk 2:32
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 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.
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