Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
The Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter
his Temple
The Lord God says this: 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.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: 23:7-10 R/ v.8
Response: Who is the king of glory?
It
is the Lord
-
O gates, lift up your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory! Response
-
Who is the king of glory?
the Lord, the mighty, the valiant,
The Lord, the valiant in war. Response
-
O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory! Response
- Who is he, the king of glory?
He, the Lord of armies,
he is the king of glory. Response
Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
It was essential that he should in this way become completely
like his brothers
Since all the children share the same blood and flesh,
Jesus 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 Acclamation Luke 2:32
Alleluia, alleluia!
The light to enlighten the Gentiles
and give glory to Israel, your people.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL Luke 2:22-40
My eyes have seen your salvation
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down
by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus 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 turtle-doves 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 on 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 hi 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.
Shorter form Luke 2:22-32
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down
by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus 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.'
