Posted on 02/02/2008 10:07:27 AM PST by Salvation
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Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
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Reading 1
Mal 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
24:7, 8, 9, 10
R. (8) 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!
Reading II
Heb 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.
Gospel
Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
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 the 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
Band 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.
or
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 the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
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Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of February has been primarily asociated with the holy Family, probably due to the feast of Our Lord's presentation at the temple, celebrated on February 2. At the very outset of Christ's work on earth, God showed the world a family in which, as Pope Leo XIII teaches, "all men might behold a perfect model of domestic life, and of all virtue and holiness." The harmony, unity, and holiness which characterized this holy Family make it the model for all Christian families.
INVOCATION
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph most kind, Bless us now and in death's agony.
FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Roman Missal
CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY FAMILY
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.
Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.
O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, three times.
IN HONOR OF THE HOLY FAMILY
O God, heavenly Father, it was part of Thine eternal decree that Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, should form a holy family with Mary, His blessed mother, and His foster father, Saint Joseph. In Nazareth home life was sanctified, and a perfect example was given to every Christian family. Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may fully comprehend and faithfully imitate the virtues of the Holy Family so that we may be united with them one day in their heavenly glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954
The Redemption and Protection of the Family [Feast of the Holy Family]
Vatican creche to place Holy Family in Joseph's carpentry workshop
Lots of Graphics: Post your favorite image of the St. Mary and Child, the Holy Family...
SIMEON IS OPEN TO THE LORD’S ACTION [Presentation of the Lord}
[Feast of the] Presentation of the Lord
Orthodox Feast of The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple; February 2
From: Malachi 3:1-4
Shortcoming of Priests (Continuation)
(The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.) [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
elight, 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.”
Commentary:
2:17-3:5. As at the start of the book, the question raised here is a fairly general
one: What is the point of keeping the Law if those who do evil are the ones who
have success in life? The question focuses on rewards in this life only (cf. 2:17),
but the prophet’s reply extends beyond that: he announces a day of judgment
when priests and ritual will be purified (3:3-4) and the oppressed will receive
justice (3:5); on the day of the Lord, God will set everything right.
However, the force of the oracle lies not so much in the fact of divine judgment
as in the mysterious way in which that day is announced (3:1-2). We are told
that the Lord of hosts himself will come to His temple, and his coming will strike
fear into the hearts of men. The passage, in fact, seems to be speaking about
three different personages—the messenger who will precede the coming of the
Lord and who later on, in the epilogue, is identified as the prophet Elijah (cf.
4:5); the Lord himself; and the angel (literally the “messenger”) of the Covenant
(3:1). In mentioning the first (the messenger who prepares the way: 3:1) the
prophet may have in mind the sort of protocol used by kings who had a herald
announce their arrival. This personage’s role is similar to that described in
Isaiah 40:3ff. However, a little further on there is the “messenger of the cove-
nant”. It is not clear what this means; it could be the Lord himself; a further
messenger, whose role is similar to that of Moses, that is, a mediator of the
Covenant; or, finally, the messenger mentioned earlier, the herald, who is now
being given a new role. No clear interpretation can be established beyond doubt.
The New Testament will resolve this question of interpretation. The Synoptic
Gospels (cf. Mk 1:2) and Jesus himself (Mt 11:7-15; cf. Lk 7:24-30) identify the
first messenger, the one who prepares the way, with Elijah, and sees his fulfill-
ment in the person of John the Baptist. This makes Jesus the Lord who comes
to his temple. The Church reads it that way when the liturgy of the feast of the
Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (cf. Lk 2:22-40) includes Malachi 3:1-4 as
a first reading. But as can be seen from many passages of the New Testament
(for example, the episode of the Transfiguration: Mt 17:1-13 and par.), Jesus is
also the mediator of the New Covenant.
In the tradition of the Church, the ambiguity here is seen as a way of indicating
the two-fold coming of the Lord-in the humility of the flesh, and in the glory and
splendor of the End: “We proclaim the coming of Christ: he comes not once,
but twice, and the second coming will be more glorious than the first. The first
was a time of suffering; in the second, however, he will wear the crown of divine
kingship. Almost everything in the life our Lord Jesus Christ has two meanings.
He was born twice: once, of the Father, from all eternity; and then, of the Virgin,
in the fullness of time. He comes twice, too: be came first in silence, like rain
falling on wool; and he will come again in glory. First, he was wrapped in swad-
dling clothes and laid in a manger; when he comes again, he will be robed in
light. First, he shouldered the cross, without fear of suffering; when he comes
gain, he will come in glory, surrounded by the hosts of angels. Let us consider
not only the life of the Lord, but also his future coming [...]. Because of his
great mercy, he was made man to teach men and persuade them; when he
comes again, all men, whether they want to or not, will be made subject to the
power and authority of the King. The words of the prophet Malachy refer to both
of these events “(St Cyril of Jerusalem, “Catecheses Ad Illuminandos”, 15, 1-2).
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers,
the U.S. publishers.
From: Hebrews 2:14-18
Jesus, Man’s Brother, was Crowned with Glory and Honor
Above the Angels (Continuation)
[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.
Commentary:
14. As in the prologue of St John’s Gospel (In 1:12-13), “flesh” and
“blood” apply to human nature in its weakened condition. Jesus has
assumed man’s nature: “He has taken it on without sin but with all its
capacity to suffer pain, given that he took a flesh similar to sinful
flesh; he ‘shared therefore in flesh and blood’, that is, he took on a
nature in which he could suffer and die—which could not occur in a
divine nature” (St Thomas, “Commentary on Heb.”, 2, 4).
Christ chose to submit to death, which is a consequence of sin, in
order to destroy death and the power of the devil. The Council of Trent
teaches that, as a result of original sin, man “incurred the wrath and
indignation of God, and consequently incurred death [...] and, together
with death, bondage in the power of him who from that time had the
empire of death” (”De Peccato Originali”, Can. 3; cf. Rom 5:12; 6:12-14;
7:5; etc.). To explain this power of the devil, St Thomas comments: “A
judge has one kind of power of death: he can punish people with death;
a criminal has a different kind of power of death—a power he usurps by
killing another [...]. God has the first kind of dominion over death; the
devil has the second kind, for he seduces man to sin and leads him to
death” (”Commentary on Heb.”, 2, 4).
Addressing Christ and his cross, the Church sings, “O altar of our
victim raised, / 0 glorious passion ever praised, / by which our Life to
death was rendered, / that death to life might thence be mended” (Hymn
“Vexilla Regis”). The death of Christ, the only one who could atone for
man’s sin, wipes out sin and makes death a way to God. “Jesus
destroyed the demon”, St Alphonsus writes; “that is, he destroyed his
power, for the demon had been lord of death on account of sin, that is,
he had power to cause temporal and eternal death to all the children of
Adam infected by sin. And this was the victory of the Cross that Jesus,
the author of life, by dying obtained Life for us through that death”
(”Reflections on the Passion”, Chap. 5, 1).
15. Christ has freed men not from physical but from spiritual death and
therefore from fear of death, because he has given us certainty of future
resurrection. Man’s natural fear of death is easily explained by his fear
of the unknown and his instinctive aversion to what death involves; but
it can also be a sign of excessive attachment to this life. “Because it
does not want to renounce its desires, the soul fears death, it fears
being separated from the body” (St Athanasius, “Oratio Contra Gentes”,
3).
The fear of death which some people in the Old Testament had can be
explained by their not knowing what fate awaited them, and by the
possibility of being completely cut off from God. But physical death is
not something to be feared by those who sincerely seek God: “To me
to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” St Paul explains (Phil 1:21). “Don’t
be afraid of death. Accept it from now on, generously...when God wills
it, where God wills it, as God wills it. Don’t doubt what I say: it will come
in the moment, in the place and in the way that are best: sent by your
Father-God. Welcome be our sister death!” ([St] J. Escriva, “The Way”,
739).
16. “It is not with angels that he is concerned”: the original text says
literally “he did not take angels with his hand”, “ did not catch hold of”,
“did not take [the nature of angels]”; meaning that Christ took to himself
a human nature, not an angelic nature. St John Chrysostom explains the
text in this way: “What does he mean by ‘take with his hand’; why does
he not say ‘took on/assumed’ but instead uses the expression ‘took with
his hand’? The reason is this: this verb has to do with those who are in
pursuit of their enemies and are doing all they can to catch those who
are in flight from them and to seize those who resist. In other words,
humankind had fled from him and fled very far, for it says ‘we were very
far from God and were almost without God in the world’ (Eph 2:12). That
is why he came in pursuit of us and ‘seized us for himself’. The Apostle
makes it clear that he did all this entirely out of love for men, in his
charity and solicitude for us” (”Hom. on Heb.”, 2).
“This single reflection, that he who is true and perfect God became
man, supplies sufficient proof of the exalted dignity conferred on the
human race by the divine bounty; since we may now glory that the Son
of God is bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, a privilege not given
to angels” (”St Pius V Catechism”, I, 4, 11).
17. This is the first mention of the central theme of the epistle, the
priesthood of Christ. Because he is God and man, Jesus is the only
Mediator between God and men, who have lost God’s friendship and
divine life on account of sin; he exercises this mediation as High Priest;
his Love saves men by bridging the abyss which separates the sinful
stock of Adam from God whom it has outraged.
It first refers clearly to our Lord’s human nature: he is in no way diffe-
rent from men (except that he is not guilty of sin: cf. Heb 4:15). “These
words mean that Christ was reared and educated and grew up and
suffered all he had to suffer and finally died” (Chrysostom, “Hom. on
Heb.”, 5). “He partook of the same food as we do,” writes Theodoret of
Cyrus, “and he endured work; he experienced sadness in his soul and
shed tears; he underwent death” (”Interpretatio Ep. Ad Haebr.”, II).
Christ the Priest is able perfectly to understand the sinner and make
satisfaction to divine Justice. “In a judge what one most desires is
mercy,” St Thomas writes, “in an advocate, reliability. The Apostle
implies that both things were found in Christ by virtue of his Passion.
Mankind desires mercy of him as judge, and reliability of him as
advocate” (”Commentary on Heb.”, 2, 4).
Christ’s priesthood consists in making expiation by a sacrifice of
atonement and a peace-offering for the sins of men: he takes our
place and atones on our behalf: “Christ merited justification for us [...]
and made satisfaction for us to God the Father” (Council of Trent, “De
Iustificatione”, Chap. 7).
18. Suffering can link a person to Christ in a special and mysterious
way. “The Redeemer suffered in place of man and for man. Every man
has his own share in the Redemption. Each one is also called to share
in that suffering through which the Redemption was accomplished. He
is called to share in that suffering through which all human suffering has
also been redeemed. In bringing about the Redemption through suffering,
Christ has also raised human suffering to the level of the Redemption.
Thus each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redem-
ptive suffering of Christ” (John Paul II, “Salvifici Doloris”, 19).
Christ’s main purpose in undergoing his passion was the Redemption of
mankind, but he also suffered in order to strengthen us and give us an
example. “By taking our weaknesses upon himself Christ has obtained
for us the strength to overcome our natural infirmity. On the night before
his passion, by choosing to suffer fear, anguish and sorrow in the garden
of Gethsemane he won for us strength to resist harassment by those who
seek our downfall; he obtained for us strength to overcome the fatigue we
experience in prayer, in mortification and in other acts of devotion, and,
finally, the fortitude to bear adversity with peace and joy” (St Alphonsus,
“Reflections on the Passion”, Chap. 9, 1).
A person who suffers, and even more so a person who does penance,
should realize that he is understood by Christ. Christ will then console
him and help him bear affliction: “You too some day may feel the loneli-
ness of our Lord on the Cross. If so, seek the support of him who died
and rose again. Find yourself a shelter in the wounds in his hands, in his
feet, in his side. And your willingness to start again will revive, and you
will take up your journey again with greater determination and effective-
ness” ([St] J. Escriva, “The Way of the Cross”, XII, 2).
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers,
the U.S. publishers.
From: Luke 2:22-40
The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
[22] And when the time came for their purification according to the law of
Moses, they (Joseph and Mary) brought Him (Jesus) 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 turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.”
Simeon’s Prophecy
[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 the glory to Thy people Israel.”
[33] And His father and His mother marvelled 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 the 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.”
Anna’s Prophecy
[36] And there was a prophetess Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the
tribe of Ahser; 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, worshipping 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 redemp-
tion of Jerusalem.
The Childhood of Jesus
[39] And when they had performed everything according to the law of the
Lord, they returned to 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.
Commentary:
22-24. The Holy Family goes up to Jerusalem to fulfill the
prescriptions of the Law of Moses—the purification of the mother and
the presentation and then redemption or buying back of the first-born.
According to Leviticus 12:2-8, a woman who bore a child was unclean.
The period of legal impurity ended, in the case of a mother of a male
child, after forty days, with a rite of purification. Mary most holy,
ever-virgin, was exempt from these precepts of the Law, because she
conceived without intercourse, nor did Christ’s birth undo the virginal
integrity of His Mother. However, she chose to submit herself to the
Law, although she was under no obligation to do so.
“Through this example, foolish child, won’t you learn to fulfill the
holy Law of God, regardless of personal sacrifice?
“Purification! You and I certainly do need purification. Atonement
and, more than atonement, Love. Love as a searing iron to cauterize
our soul’s uncleanness, and as a fire to kindle with divine flames the
wretchedness of our hearts” ([St] J. Escriva, “Holy Rosary”, Fourth
Joyful Mystery).
Also, in Exodus 13:2, 12-13 it is indicated that every first-born male
belongs to God and must be set apart for the Lord, that is, dedicated
to the service of God. However, once divine worship was reserved to
the tribe of Levi, first-born who did not belong to that tribe were not
dedicated to God’s service, and to show that they continued to be God’s
special property, a rite of redemption was performed.
The Law also laid down that the Israelites should offer in sacrifice
some lesser victim—for example, a lamb or, if they were poor, a pair
of doves or two pigeons. Our Lord, who “though He was rich, yet for
your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become
rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9), chose to have a poor man’s offering made on
His behalf.
25-32. Simeon, who is described as a righteous and devout man, obe-
dient to God’s will, addresses himself to our Lord as a vassal or loyal
servant who, having kept watch all his life in expectation of the coming
of his Lord, sees that this moment has “now” come, the moment that
explains his whole life. When he takes the Child in his arms, he learns,
not through any reasoning process but through a special grace from
God, that this Child is the promised Messiah, the Consolation of Israel,
the Light of the nations.
Simeon’s canticle (verses 29-32) is also a prophecy. It consists of two
stanzas: the first (verses 29-30) is an act of thanksgiving to God, filled
with profound joy for having seen the Messiah. The second (verses
31-32) is more obviously prophetic and extols the divine blessings which
the Messiah is bringing to Israel and to all men. The canticle highlights
the fact that Christ brings redemption to all men without exception —
something foretold in many Old Testament prophecies (cf. Genesis
22:18; Isaiah 2:6; 42:6; 60:3; Psalm 28:2).
It is easy to realize how extremely happy Simeon was—given that many
patriarchs, prophets and kings of Israel had yearned to see the Messiah,
yet did not see Him, whereas he now held Him in his arms (cf. Luke
10:24; 1 Peter 1:10).
33. The Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph marvelled not because they did
not know who Christ was; they were in awe at the way God was revealing
Him. Once again they teach us to contemplate the mysteries involved in
the birth of Christ.
34-35. After Simeon blesses them, the Holy Spirit moves him to further
prophecy about the Child’s future and His Mother’s. His words become
clearer in the light of our Lord’s life and death.
Jesus came to bring salvation to all men, yet He will be a sign of
contradiction because some people will obstinately reject Him—and for
this reason He will be their ruin. But for those who accept Him with
faith Jesus will be their salvation, freeing them from sin in this life
and raising them up to eternal life.
The words Simeon addresses to Mary announce that she will be intima-
tely linked with her Son’s redemptive work. The sword indicates that
Mary will have a share in her Son’s sufferings; hers will be an unspea-
kable pain which pierces her soul. Our Lord suffered on the cross for
our sins, and it is those sins which forge the sword of Mary’s pain.
Therefore, we have a duty to atone not only to God but also to His
Mother, who is our Mother too.
The last words of the prophecy, “that out of many hearts thoughts may
be revealed”, link up with verse 34: uprightness or perversity will be
demonstrated by whether one accepts or rejects Christ.
36-38. Anna’s testimony is very similar to Simeon’s; like him, she too
has been awaiting the coming of the Messiah her whole life long, in
faithful service of God, and she too is rewarded with the joy of seeing
Him. “She spoke of Him,” that is, of the Child—praising God in her
prayer and exhorting others to believe that this Child is the Messiah.
Thus, the birth of Christ was revealed by three kinds of witnesses in
three different ways—first, by the shepherds, after the angel’s announce-
ment; second, by the Magi, who were guided by a star; third, by Simeon
and Anna, who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
All who, like Simeon and Anna, persevere in piety and in the service of
God, no matter how insignificant their lives seem in men’s eyes, become
instruments the Holy Spirit uses to make Christ known to other. In His
plan of redemption God avails of these simple souls to do much good to
all mankind.
39. Before their return to Nazareth, St. Matthew tells us (2:13-23), the
Holy Family fled to Egypt where they stayed for some time.
40. “Our Lord Jesus Christ as a child, that is, as one clothed in the
fragility of human nature, had to grow and become stronger but as the
eternal Word of God He had no need to become stronger or to grow.
Hence He is rightly described as full of wisdom and grace” (St. Bede,
“In Lucae Evangelium Expositio, in loc.”).
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers,
the U.S. publishers.
| First reading | Malachi 3:1 - 4 © |
|---|---|
| Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old. | |
| Psalm or canticle: Psalm 23 |
| Second reading | Hebrews 2:14 - 18 © |
|---|---|
| Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Christ too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God’s religion, able to atone for human sins. That is, because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help others who are tempted. | |
| Gospel | Luke 2:22 - 40 © |
|---|---|
| And when the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said: ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel’. As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare’. There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him. |
|
O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 2 |
|---|
| The Messiah, king and victor |
| Why are the nations in a ferment? Why do the people make their vain plans? The kings of the earth have risen up; the leaders have united against the Lord, against his anointed. “Let us break their chains, that bind us; let us throw off their yoke from our shoulders!” The Lord laughs at them, he who lives in the heavens derides them. Then he speaks to them in his anger; in his fury he throws them into confusion: “But I – I have set up my king on Sion, my holy mountain”. I will proclaim the Lord’s decrees. The Lord has said to me: “You are my son: today I have begotten you. Ask me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, the ends of the earth for you to possess. You will rule them with a rod of iron, break them in pieces like an earthen pot”. So now, kings, listen: understand, you who rule the land. Serve the Lord in fear, tremble even as you praise him. Learn his teaching, lest he take anger, lest you perish when his anger bursts into flame. Blessed are all who put their trust in the Lord. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Psalm 18 (19) |
|---|
| Praise of God the creator |
| The skies tell the story of the glory of God, the firmament proclaims the work of his hands; day pours out the news to day, night passes to night the knowledge. Not a speech, not a word, not a voice goes unheard. Their sound is spread throughout the earth, their message to all the corners of the world. At the ends of the earth he has set up a dwelling place for the sun. Like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, it rejoices like an athlete at the race to be run. It appears at the edge of the sky, runs its course to the sky’s furthest edge. Nothing can hide from its heat. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Psalm 44 (45) |
|---|
| The wedding of the King |
| My heart cries out on a joyful theme: I will tell my poem to the king, my tongue like the pen of the swiftest scribe. You have been given more than human beauty, and grace is poured out upon your lips, so that God has blessed you for ever. Strap your sword to your side, mighty one, in all your greatness and splendour. In your splendour go forth, mount your chariot, on behalf of truth, kindness and justice. Let your right hand show you marvels, let your arrows be sharp against the hearts of the king’s enemies – the peoples will fall before you. Your throne is firm, O God, from age to age, your royal sceptre is a sceptre of justice. You love uprightness, hate injustice – for God, your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness, above all your companions. Myrrh and aloes and cassia anoint your garments. From ivory palaces the sound of harps delights you. In your retinue go the daughters of kings. At your right hand, the queen is adorned with gold of Ophir. Listen, my daughter, and understand; turn your ears to what I have to say. Forget your people, forget your father’s house, and the king will desire you for your beauty. He is your lord, so worship him. The daughters of Tyre will bring you gifts; the richest of your subjects will beg you to look on them. How great is the king’s daughter, within the palace! She is clothed in woven gold. She will be taken to the king in coloured garments, her maidens will escort her to your presence. In gladness and rejoicing they are brought and led to the house of the king. Instead of your fathers you will have sons: you will make them rulers over all the world. I will remember your name from generation to generation. And so your people will do you honour for ever and for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Reading | Exodus 13:1 - 16 © |
|---|---|
| The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘Consecrate all the first-born to me, the first issue of every womb, among the sons of Israel. Whether man or beast, this is mine.’ Moses said to the people, ‘Keep this day in remembrance, the day you came out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. When the Lord brings you to the land of the Canaanites – as he swore to you and your fathers he would do – and gives it to you, you are to make over to the Lord all that first issues from the womb, and every first-born cast by your animals: these males belong to the Lord. But every first-born donkey you will redeem with an animal from your flocks. If you do not redeem it, you must break its neck. Of your sons, every first-born of men must be redeemed. And when your son asks you in days to come, “What does this mean?” you will tell him, “By sheer power the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the first-born in the land of Egypt, of man and of beast alike. For this I sacrifice to the Lord every male that first issues from the womb, and redeem every first-born of my sons.” The rite will serve as a sign on your hand would serve, or a circlet on your forehead, for the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.’ |
|
| Reading | From a sermon by Saint Sophronius, bishop |
|---|---|
| Let us receive the light whose brilliance is eternal | |
| In honour of the divine mystery that we celebrate today, let us all hasten to meet Christ. Everyone should be eager to join the procession and to carry a light. Our lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendour of the one who comes to expel the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of his eternal light. Our candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ. The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him. The light has come and has shone upon a world enveloped in shadows; the Dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who lived in darkness. This, then, is our feast, and we join in procession with lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us through him. So let us hasten all together to meet our God. The true light has come, the light that enlightens every man who is born into this world. Let all of us, my brethren, be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let all of us share in its splendour, and be so filled with it that no one remains in the darkness. Let us be shining ourselves as we go together to meet and to receive with the aged Simeon the light whose brilliance is eternal. Rejoicing with Simeon, let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving to God, the Father of the light, who sent the true light to dispel the darkness and to give us all a share in his splendour. Through Simeon’s eyes we too have seen the salvation of God which he prepared for all the nations and revealed as the glory of the new Israel, which is ourselves. As Simeon was released from the bonds of this life when he had seen Christ, so we too were at once freed from our old state of sinfulness. By faith we too embraced Christ, the salvation of God the Father, as he came to us from Bethlehem. Gentiles before, we have now become the people of God. Our eyes have seen God incarnate, and because we have seen him present among us and have mentally received him into our arms, we are called the new Israel. Never shall we forget this presence; every year we keep a feast in his honour. |
|
| Hymn | Te Deum |
|---|---|
| God, we praise you; Lord, we proclaim you! You, the Father, the eternal – all the earth venerates you. All the angels, all the heavens, every power – The cherubim, the seraphim – unceasingly, they cry: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts: heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory!” The glorious choir of Apostles – The noble ranks of prophets – The shining army of martyrs – all praise you. Throughout the world your holy Church proclaims you. – Father of immeasurable majesty, – True Son, only-begotten, worthy of worship, – Holy Spirit, our Advocate. You, Christ: – You are the king of glory. – You are the Father’s eternal Son. – You, to free mankind, did not disdain a Virgin’s womb. – You defeated the sharp spear of Death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to those who believe in you. – You sit at God’s right hand, in the glory of the Father. – You will come, so we believe, as our Judge. And so we ask of you: give help to your servants, whom you set free at the price of your precious blood. Number them among your chosen ones in eternal glory. Bring your people to safety, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance. Rule them and lift them high for ever. Day by day we bless you, Lord: we praise you for ever and for ever. Of your goodness, Lord, keep us without sin for today. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us. Let your pity, Lord, be upon us, as much as we trust in you. In you, Lord, I trust: let me never be put to shame. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
|
| Concluding Prayer |
|---|
| Almighty and eternal God, we bring our petitions before your throne. Your only-begotten Son was presented to you in the temple today, incarnate in our flesh. Purify our minds so that we may be presented to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. |
| Saturday, February 2, 2008 Blessing of Candles & Procession The Presentation of the Lord (Feast) |
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February 2, 2008
 Presentation of the Lord
At the end of the fourth century, a woman named Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Her journal, discovered in 1887, gives an unprecedented glimpse of liturgical life there. Among the celebrations she describes is the Epiphany (January 6), the observance of Christ’s birth, and the gala procession in honor of his Presentation in the Temple 40 days later—February 15. (Under the Mosaic Law, a woman was ritually “unclean” for 40 days after childbirth, when she was to present herself to the priests and offer sacrifice—her “purification.” Contact with anyone who had brushed against mystery—birth or death—excluded a person from Jewish worship.) This feast emphasizes Jesus’ first appearance in the Temple more than Mary’s purification.
The observance spread throughout the Western Church in the fifth and sixth centuries. Because the Church in the West celebrated Jesus’ birth on December 25, the Presentation was moved to February 2, 40 days after Christmas. At the beginning of the eighth century, Pope Sergius inaugurated a candlelight procession; at the end of the same century the blessing and distribution of candles which continues to this day became part of the celebration, giving the feast its popular name: Candlemas. Quote:
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FEBRUARY 2
PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
Forty days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph brought the Child to the great Temple in Jerusalem. There they presented Jesus to the Heavenly Father. That was the Jewish law. The Holy Family obeyed it with loving hearts.
While they were in the Temple, Mary also fulfilled another requirement of the law. After the birth of their children, all Jewish mothers were supposed to go to the Temple for the ceremony called the Purification. Mary did her duty cheerfully. She teaches us to be humble and obedient as she was.
A holy old priest of the Temple named Simeon learned from God that the Infant Jesus was truly the Savior. With what joy he held Mary's Son in his arms. "My own eyes are looking at my salvation," he exclaimed. God let him recognize Jesus as the Savior and Simeon put his trust in the little Child. Imagine what Mary and Joseph were thinking. Then, inspired by God, Simeon told Mary that she would have to suffer very much. He was talking about the terrible pain our Blessed Mother would feel when Jesus died on the cross.
This feast of the Presentation reminds us that we belong to God first of all. Because he is our Father and Creator, we owe him our loving obedience.
May our life overflow with hope and trust in God.
Collect: All-powerful Father, Christ your Son became man for us and was presented in the temple. May he free our hearts from sin and bring us into your presence. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Old Calendar: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord which occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus and is also known as Candlemas day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included in today's liturgy.
Before the revision of the General Roman Calendar this marked the end of the Christmas season. The reformed calendar has designated that the Sunday after Epiphany, the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, is the end of the Christmas season. This feast is no longer referred to as the "Purification of Mary" but the "Presentation of the Lord."
"In obedience to the Old Law, the Lord Jesus, the first-born, was presented in the Temple by his Blessed Mother and his foster father. This is another 'epiphany' celebration insofar as the Christ Child is revealed as the Messiah through the canticle and words of Simeon and the testimony of Anna the prophetess. Christ is the light of the nations, hence the blessing and procession of candles on this day. In the Middle Ages this feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or 'Candlemas,' was of great importance.
The specific liturgy of this Candlemas feast, the blessing of candles, is not as widely celebrated as it should be, except of course whenever February 2 falls on a Sunday and thus takes precedence. There are two ways of celebrating the ceremony, either the Procession, which begins at a 'gathering place' outside the church, or the Solemn Entrance, celebrated within the church."
— Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year
"Until 1969, the ancient feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, which is of Oriental origin, was known in the West as the feast of the Purification of Our Lady, and closed the Christmas season, forty days after the Lord's birth. This feast has for long been associated with many popular devotional exercises. The faithful:
These too are mothers in God's plan and are about to give birth to future members of the Church. From this intuition and a certain mimesis of the purification of Our Lady, the rite of purification after birth was developed, some of whose elements reflect negatively on birth.
The revised Rituale Romanum provides for the blessing of women both before and after birth, this latter only in cases where the mother could not participate at the baptism of her child.
It is a highly desirable thing for mothers and married couples to ask for these blessings which should be given in accord with the Church's prayer: in a communion of faith and charity in prayer so that pregnancy can be brought to term without difficulty (blessing before birth), and to give thanks to God for the gift of a child (blessing after birth).
In some local Churches, certain elements taken from the Gospel account of the Presentation of the Lord (Lk 2, 22-40), such as the obedience of Joseph and Mary to the Law of the Lord, the poverty of the holy spouses, the virginity of Our Lady, mark out 2 February as a special feast for those at the service of the brethren in the various forms of consecrated life.
The feast of 2 February still retains a popular character. It is necessary, however, that such should reflect the true Christian significance of the feast. It would not be proper for popular piety in its celebration of this feast to overlook its Christological significance and concentrate exclusively on its Marian aspects. The fact that this feast should be 'considered [...] a joint memorial of Son and Mother' would not support such an inversion. The candles kept by the faithful in their homes should be seen as a sign of Christ 'the light of the world' and an expression of faith."
Excerpted from Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy.
Things to Do:
O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 62 (63) |
|---|
| Thirsting for God |
| O God, you are my God, I wait for you from the dawn. My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you. I came to your sanctuary, as one in a parched and waterless land, so that I could see your might and your glory. My lips will praise you, for your mercy is better than life itself. Thus I will bless you throughout my life, and raise my hands in prayer to your name; my soul will be filled as if by rich food, and my mouth will sing your praises and rejoice. I will remember you as I lie in bed, I will think of you in the morning, for you have been my helper, and I will take joy in the protection of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand raises me up. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Canticle | Daniel 3 |
|---|---|
| All creatures, bless the Lord | |
| Bless the Lord, all his works, praise and exalt him for ever. Bless the Lord, you heavens; all his angels, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, you waters above the heavens; all his powers, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, sun and moon; all stars of the sky, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, rain and dew; all you winds, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, fire and heat; cold and warmth, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, dew and frost; ice and cold, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, ice and snow; day and night, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, light and darkness; lightning and storm-clouds, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, all the earth, praise and exalt him for ever. Bless the Lord, mountains and hills; all growing things, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, seas and rivers; springs and fountains, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, whales and fish; birds of the air, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, wild beasts and tame; sons of men, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, O Israel, praise and exalt him for ever. Bless the Lord, his priests; all his servants, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, spirits of the just; all who are holy and humble, bless the Lord. Ananias, Azarias, Mishael, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him for ever. Let us bless Father, Son and Holy Spirit, praise and exalt them for ever. Bless the Lord in the firmament of heaven, praise and glorify him for ever. |
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| Psalm 149 |
|---|
| The saints rejoice |
| Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in its maker, and the sons of Sion delight in their king. Let them praise his name with dancing, sing to him with timbrel and lyre, for the Lord’s favour is upon his people, and he will honour the humble with victory. Let the faithful celebrate his glory, rejoice even in their beds, the praise of God in their throats; and swords ready in their hands, to exact vengeance upon the nations, impose punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings in fetters and their nobles in manacles of iron, to carry out the sentence that has been passed: this is the glory prepared for all his faithful. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Short reading | Malachi 3:1 © |
|---|---|
| Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. | |
| Canticle | Benedictus |
|---|---|
| The Messiah and his forerunner | |
| Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption. He has raised up the sign of salvation in the house of his servant David, as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones, his prophets through the ages: to rescue us from our enemies and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers, to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father, that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear – freed from the hands of our enemies – in uprightness and holiness before him, for all of our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path, to let his people know their salvation, so that their sins may be forgiven. Through the bottomless mercy of our God, one born on high will visit us to give light to those who walk in darkness, who live in the shadow of death; to lead our feet in the path of peace. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
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| Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
| Almighty and eternal God, we bring our petitions before your throne. Your only-begotten Son was presented to you in the temple today, incarnate in our flesh. Purify our minds so that we may be presented to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. |
| May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life. |
| A M E N |
1. In His Temple now behold Him,
See the long-expected Lord;
Ancient prophets had foretold Him, —
God has now fulfilled His word.
Now, to praise Him, His redeemed
Shall break forth with one accord.
2. In the arms of her who bore Him,
Virgin pure, behold Him lie,
While His aged saints adore Him
Ere in faith and hope they die.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Lo! the incarnate God most high.
3. Jesus, by Thy presentation,
Thou, who didst for us endure,
Make us see our great salvation,
Seal us with Thy promise sure,
And present us in Thy glory
To Thy Father, cleansed and pure.
4. Prince and Author of salvation,
Be Thy boundless love our theme!
Jesus, praise to Thee be given
By the world Thou didst redeem,
With the Father and the Spirit,
Lord of majesty supreme!
The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #139
Text: Luke 2:22
Author: Henry J. Pye, 1851
Author: William Cooke, 1853
Tune: “Regent Square”
BTW, today I enjoyed being at a lovely card party and Valentine's Day celebration at our local Catholic church. Most enjoyable afternoon.
Bible study bump for the story of Simeon and Anna.
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