4th Week in Ordinary Time
2nd February 2023 (Thurday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 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. 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, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 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 24:7, 8, 9, 10 (R. 10bc)
R/. The Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory!
Second Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
Since the children share in flesh and Blood Jesus himself likewise partook of the same things that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Gospel : Luke 2:22-40
When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons". Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him; And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), So that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." And there was prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband, seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God, and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favour of God was upon him.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: A call to purify and sanctify!
Indicative: The child Jesus is presented in the temple as per the ritual of his tradition. This indicates the very purpose of his coming to us, that is his self-offering for our salvation{alertSuccess}
The Festivity of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple denotes purification ritually, and consecration spiritually. The rite of presentation indeed forecasts and prefigures our own purification. It is an act of self-offering and self-immolation of Jesus, by God the Father, through the mediation of his parents.
In his presentation, there is the expiation of our sins, and thus purification from the stain and weight of our sins. This testifies to Jesus’ own consecration to God’s eternal plan of salvation, for the sake of humanity. Thus in his consecration, we have our purification and liberation from the bondage of sin.
This purification does not stop there. Rather it has a ‘transferring’ and ‘transmitting’ effect, which consists of ‘transformation’. One who is purified is rightly presented to the Lord, as a pure offering, and is sanctified as a consecrated gift.
Imperative: One who is consecrated by God, is consecrated to His holy mission of consecrating others as well to the same Lord. One who is consecrated, cannot befriend the forces of desecration!{alertSuccess}