2 FEBRUARY 2021. Feast of Candlemas - the Presentation of our Lord Jesus in the Temple.
Gospel of St. Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their
purification according to the law of Moses, they took him 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 Messiah 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 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 (and 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.
IMAGE: Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., former Master of the Order, at Ely Cathedral, at a celebration of Candlemas.
Credit: Yan Xu, Pinterist