From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education Theme: Luke 2:22-40 Simeon recognizes the infant Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Summary: This passage speaks to the fact that Jesus was born into a family that is observant of the law. Mary and Joseph are careful to have this child, the firstborn, circumcised and presented to the Lord as prescribed by the Law. As Jesus’ parents prepare to make their offering to the Lord for their child, they encounter the holy man Simeon, who was on his way to the Temple. Simeon takes the child into his arms and realizes that this is the Christ of God. On Simeon’s lips are the words of the prayer that is used each night by those who pray the Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. The prayer is known as the Nunc Dimitis,
Now Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples; a light for the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. Clearly the words of the prayer are filled with
hope.
Scripture: “
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.”
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. The Presentation, which is celebrated 40 days after Christmas, is not mentioned in the other Gospels. Only Luke tells the story, most likely because he writes for Gentile Christians who are not familiar with the Jewish rite of presentation and purification. In addition, the intent of Luke’s Gospel is to show that God’s promise to Israel, fulfilled in Jesus, extends to Gentiles.
Luke recognizes Joseph and Mary as faithful Jews who bring Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. Here they present their firstborn son to the Lord. Jesus is thus consecrated as required by the Law of Moses. Present in the temple at this time are Simeon and Anna. Both are awaiting the restoration of God’s rule in Israel.
Simeon had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see Christ the Lord, the Messiah, before he died. The holy man immediately recognized the infant Jesus as the promised Savior, a “light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” Anna also recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise of redemption and spoke about him to all.
www.loyolapress.com Key Words in Today’s Readings:
www.livingwithchrist.us
First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
A
Covenant is a special kind of promise or agreement. In the Bible, God often makes a covenant with an individual or, sometimes, with an individual or, sometimes, with whole groups of people. In the story of Noah’s ark, for example, God creates a rainbow as a sign of his promise to the world that he will never again flood all the earth.
A
refiner’s fire is used to clean precious metals such as silver and gold. Heating helps to separate out any other materials, making sure that the metal becomes as pure and valuable as possible.
Second Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
Abraham is one of the most important people in the Bible. He is a man of great faith. We read his story in the Book of Genesis, which tells how God makes a special call to Abraham, promising him land and offspring if he obeys. Because Abraham listen to God, God blesses him with a son. He is seen as the father of the people of Israel, and our father in faith.
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
Relatives of pigeons,
turtledoves have a lovely song and a gentle nature. Because they often are found in pairs, many people see turtledoves as a sign of love and devotion. In biblical times, a turtledove was seen as a pure animal, which is why it was used in sacrifices.
Abraham’s grandson was named Jacob. Jacob was also known as Israel. Jacob had twelve sons, each of whom became the head of a tribe, or family, of Israel.
The Tribe of Asher was made up of the family of Asher, Jacob’s second son. The name Asher means blessing.
Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. Which Beatitude seems the riskiest for you to live? Which seems the easiest? www.smp.org
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/ Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez Written by Kathleen Krill
ISBN: 13:978-0152014377
Pray that you will always speak and do things that will really help people as Saint Paul encouraged the Ephesians. Ask God to make your virtue of hope shine in all ways each and every day.
Family Discussion: Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Discuss with the family the persons of Simeon and Anna as they meet Jesus. (Luke 2: 25–40)
Because Simeon and Anna lived lives of prayer and fasting in the Temple, they were filled with the Spirit of God. That is why they were able to identify Jesus as the Savior even though Jesus was only a baby. To these two holy people, he was recognizable as the Redeemer who had been promised. Simeon described Jesus as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
We too are called to recognize Jesus as Lord. Together as a family discuss ways to recognize Jesus as Lord by praying and attending Mass, fasting, and serving others. As a family, decide on one specific sacrifice you can make in order to alleviate the suffering or need of someone you know...
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