Presented

The WORD today reminds me that we should offer everything to God. 

When we deal with others, especially to new people, we usually put our best foot forward. Men courting women usually do this. We want to show what is good in us, and try to hide the not so good things. However, we cannot hide these things forever. Eventually things will be revealed. And because we were not open from the start, people get surprised and react differently. Sometimes, we think God is like this, that he only wants to see the good things from us. We sometimes  think that God only wants to head good news from us, and see good things from us.  However, this is not the case. 

God wants us to give Him everything - the good and the bad. 

As we celebrate the Feast of Jesus’ Presentation, we are reminded that we should present ourselves to him. We should offer him everything. Every good and bad in us, just as Jesus was presented and offered to God in the temple - his whole being offered for the glory of God. 

The readings remind us that Jesus was like us in all aspects except sin. He felt what we are feeling. He experienced what we are experiencing. And he became man like us to show us the way. To tell us how we should react, and guide us what we should do. The second reading tells us he suffered, and offers us what to do when we ourselves suffer - to come always to God. To lift and present everything yo God. And have faith that God will continue to take care of us. 

As we experience suffering, and as we offer everything to God, we will be reminded of the first reading. The refiner's fire, the challenges, purifies silver, us. These challenges purifies us and makes us stronger and better. It may be hard, but the thought that the refiner, God, does not take his eyes off us and is watching us every second until we are purified, should encourage us and give us hope. 

What are my concerns? What areas of my life do I hide from God? What are the things I am not proud of? Do I realize that God wants me to offer everything to him? What is he telling me today?

May we heed God's call to present ourselves to Him, and have faith that as we do, we will be purified and become more and more like him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I keep my heart hard and away from you. Sorry for the times I run away from you. Help me follow the way of Jesus. I will slowly offer everything to you. I will present myself to you. And trust you that you would continue to take care of me as you purify me and make me more like you. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2020/02/presented-and-purified.html

February 02, 2021

The Presentation of the Lord - Feast

---

FIRST READING

Malachi 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

Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 (8)

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, 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!

---

SECOND READING

Hebrews 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

Luke 2:32

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

GOSPEL

Longer Form Luke 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 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.