The WORD today
(See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020217.cfm) reminds me that I should present and offer myself
to God and allow Him to purify me.
As
we celebrate the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the temple, I am
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 relate 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.
May
we have the desire to present and offer ourselves to God and allow him to
purify us.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another reminder. Lord,
I pray that you help me surrender and offer myself to you. Sorry for the times
I do not. Sorry for the times I do what I want, not what you want. Sorry for
being proud. Help me Lord. May I die of myself and present myself to you. I
allow you to mold me and live in me. I know that as I surrender, you will
purify me. I know 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. I know that
this would make me more and more like you. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflections:
February 2, 2017
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Lectionary: 524
Reading 1 Mal 3:1-4
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
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
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
A light of revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
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
Band you yourself a sword will pierceB
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.
or
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."
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."
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