Presentation of the Lord (feast)
Proper Liturgy of the Hours
Texts taken from the “Sulla Tua Parola” daily missal, January-February 2021.
Forty days after the solemnity of Christmas, the Church celebrates, commemorating the day when Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the temple.
Through this rite, the Lord submits to the prescriptions of the ancient law, but in reality he comes to meet his people, who await him in faith.
Guided and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, the holy elders Simeon and Anna recognize the Lord and, filled with joy, bear witness to him.
We too, gathered by the Holy Spirit for the Eucharistic celebration, go to meet Christ in the house of God, where we will find and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, as we await him to come and manifest himself in his glory.
FIRST READING
From the book of the prophet Malachi (Mal 3:1-4)
Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and suddenly the Lord whom you seek will enter his temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you desire, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. Who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he is like the fire of the refiner and like the lye of the launderers. He will sit to smelt and purify the silver; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may offer the Lord an offering according to justice. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old, as in years gone by.”
Commentary on the first reading
“Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old, as in years gone by”: this is how the first reading concludes. Judah and Jerusalem anticipate and symbolize all humanity loved by God. The offering they present to the Lord does not consist so much of material things, animals, or money; many times, in the psalms or the books of the prophets, we find a reminder to offer ourselves as a gift pleasing to God, rather than merely external sacrifices. In reality, the only one who can offer a sacrifice truly pleasing to God is Jesus Christ: he comes from the Father, and his presentation in the temple, his sacrifice, is nothing other than his return to God accompanied by all humanity. He accepted the Father’s plan, which included the incarnation and the Paschal mystery, to save all those among humanity who are willing to allow this magnificent plan to penetrate their flesh and their lives. During the reading, purification and refinement are mentioned, necessary for every person to respond to God as worthily as possible. Let us offer ourselves to God; whatever our condition, our offering will be pleasing.
Or
From the Letter to the Hebrews (Heb 2:14-18)
Since the children share in blood and flesh, Christ likewise shared in them, so 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, were subject to slavery all their lives. For he is not concerned with angels, but with the descendants of Abraham he is concerned. Therefore he had to become like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to atone for the sins of the people. For because he himself was tested and suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Commentary
“For because he himself was tested and suffered, he [Jesus Christ] is able to help those who are being tested.” This passage from the Letter to the Hebrews answers several questions: What meaning does humanity’s suffering have? What is the significance of Jesus’ choice to hand himself over to men for death on a cross? First of all, the reading tells us that Christ is now able to “come to the aid” of those who suffer. Moreover, the Paschal mystery consists not only of the cross, but also of an endless self-giving in the Eucharist. The horizon of salvation accomplished by Jesus extends from his agony in Gethsemane (where he fully says his “yes” to the Father), through his bloody Passion and death on the cross, to his resurrection with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Only in this entire context do we see Jesus not merely suffering, but victorious in and over suffering. It then becomes clear that it is not suffering as such that saves us and brings us closer to God, but love. That boundless love which Jesus showed during the days when his Passion was fulfilled; that same love into which we too can enter, thanks to Christ’s gift. Suffering, in fact, finds its meaning in love.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:22-40)
[When the days were completed for their ritual purification, according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought the child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord” – and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, as prescribed 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 would not see death before he had seen 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 prescribed, 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. 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 being widowed. She was now eighty-four years old. She never left the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very hour, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all things according to 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 grace of God was upon him.
Commentary on the Gospel of the day
“It had been revealed to [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.” In these lines from today’s Gospel, we find two persons of the Trinity manifesting themselves in a man’s life: Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, is promised to Simeon by the Holy Spirit. We may ask whether this was merely his privilege, or a gift for every Christian. I truly believe that every disciple of Christ the Lord can see Jesus before his birth into heaven. First of all, in every brother and sister we meet, provided that we know how to preserve a clear and pure gaze; not selfish, but capable of seeing the gift present in the other. Sunday Mass (or daily Mass) is the spiritual nourishment that enables us to meet and see Jesus. Confession, at least monthly, can also refresh us and give us the strength to begin again, despite our sins. Sin, on the other hand, is precisely what makes meeting Christ and seeing him difficult. The real issue lies within us, in our willingness to change ourselves, our gaze, and our heart, so as to allow the Lord to “appear” to the eyes of our heart.
