Malachi 3:1-4 / Hebrews 2:14-18 / Luke 2:22-40

How time flies! Forty days ago we celebrated Christmas, the birth of the Lord Jesus! On February 2nd, the Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. It is also the World Day of Consecrated Religious Life.

Today the evangelist Luke tells us about the elderly righteous man Simeon and the elderly prophetess Anna in the temple of Jerusalem.

The context was the presentation of Jesus by Mary and Joseph forty days after His birth. The Law of Moses said that parents should consecrate their firstborn son to God in the temple of Jerusalem, after the days of the mother's purification were over.

Simeon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, recognized that Jesus was the Christ of the Lord. Anna, who worshiped God night and day with fasting and prayer, gave thanks to God and spoke of Jesus to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 

Luke concludes by saying that the Holy Family returned to Nazareth in Galilee, and that Jesus grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and that the favor of God was upon Him.

Let us do as the righteous man Simeon did: let us welcome Jesus and bless God; let us do as the prophetess Anna did: let us give thanks to God and speak of Jesus to everyone, because the redemption that people so long for is in Him!

Today the prophet Malachi tells us of the Lord God’s promise to send a messenger to prepare His way. His mission was to purify the sons of Levi so that they could offer due sacrifice pleased to the Lord.

Through the presentation of Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem, we - the children of God - have been purified and can now offer spiritual sacrifices pleasing to the Lord.

Today the author of the Letter to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people.

Let us overcome fear. Let us accept Jesus' help in tests. He can help us because He Himself became man and knows the tests that human beings go through. Let us trust in Jesus!

Our gratitude to the consecrated religious men and women on the occasion of their World Day. May God continue to bless them in living out their vocation, in the radical following of the poor, obedient and chaste Christ, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

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