February 2, 2025 – Presentation of the Lord at the Temple

+ From the Gospel according to Luke ( 2, 22 – 40)

When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, Mary and Joseph took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be sacred to the Lord” – and to offer a sacrifice in accordance with 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. 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 Lord’s Christ.
Moved by the Spirit, he came to the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary in the law, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying, “Lord, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen the salvation 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 mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too—so that the inner thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four years old. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. Coming up at that very moment, she began to praise God and speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”

The Word of the Lord