 |
| "The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Malachi
3: 1 - 4
1
"Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and
the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the
messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming,
says the LORD of hosts.
2
But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he
appears? "For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers'
soap;
3
he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify
the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they
present right offerings to the LORD.
4
Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD
as in the days of old and as in former years.
PSALM:
Psalms 24:
7 - 10
7
Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that
the King of glory may come in.
8
Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD,
mighty in battle!
9
Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that
the King of glory may come in.
10
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of
glory! [Selah]
SECOND
READING: Hebrews
2: 14 - 18
14
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself
likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might
destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15
and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to
lifelong bondage.
16
For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the
descendants of Abraham.
17
Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so
that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the
service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people.
18
For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to
help those who are tempted.
GOSPEL:
Luke 2:
22 - 40
22
And when the time came for their purification according to the law of
Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23
(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens
the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")
24
and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the
Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
25
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man
was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and
the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26
And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not
see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27
And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the
parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the
custom of the law,
28
he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29
"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according
to thy word;
30
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
31
which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people
Israel."
33
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him;
34
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold,
this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for
a sign that is spoken against
35
(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts
out of many hearts may be revealed."
36
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the
tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband
seven years from her virginity,
37
and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the
temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
38
And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of
him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39
And when they had performed everything according to the law of the
Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the
favor of God was upon him.
