MY daily reflection and prayer:
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Luke 2:22-40
And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up 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 a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 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. 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. 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, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which 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 marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking 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 city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
TODAY is feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. While reading the Gospel today, I am interested in contemplating this verse, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord”.
Yes, first of all it points to Jesus who openned Mother Mary’s womb. Mother Mary and St. Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to God as it is written in his law, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord” and to offer a sacrifice. In the arms of Mary, comes the only sacrifice that counts, for without him no other sacrifice has meaning.
Since being brought to enter the Temple for the first time, he is the only perfect Lamb of God accepts to be consecrated. Now, he enables us to live a consecration to a mission in his name.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist while worshipping Jesus Christ, we consecrate our lives to God in his name. It will call forth the risen life of the new man of the Kingdom of God.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, make our soul a temple worthy of your entry. May our hearts be poured with purity and sanctity. Renew our personal consecration to the your Heart in adoration to the Eucharist now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
