SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (1st February, 2025)
THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD
1st Reading: Malachi 3: 1-4
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm24:7.8.9.10 (R. 10bc)
2nd Reading: Hebrews 2: 14-18
Gospel Acclamation: Luke 2:32
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40
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| Chukwuebuka Victor Ofor |
My Reflection:
Jesus was presented in the temple according to the purification offering of dedication by the law of Moses (cf. Exod 13:2).
We have to dedicate ourselves to God. We have to seek Him always and in everything we do. Then the Lord you're seeking will suddenly come to his temple (Malachi 3: 1b).
Simeon was devout and eagerly waiting for the Lord and the Holy Spirit led him to the temple when Jesus was to be presented. Also, Anna the prophet stayed in the temple devoutly and gave praise to God when she saw the Messiah.
Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? (Malachi 3: 2b). By praying and fasting and praising God we are able to purify ourselves like the example of prophet Anna and by constantly seeking him, the scriptures tell us that God will reveal more of himself to us.
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| Mercy Aliu |
Looking at the two older people in the gospel, Simeon and Anna, there was something peculiar about them. They were both prayerful and devoted and as such, were yielded to the Holy Spirit.
Their ability to recognize Jesus as the Light and Deliverer was a fruit of their prayerfulness. Their prayerfulness made them sensitive to the Lord’s presence and helped them recognize the Lord even as a new born.
We can also emulate them by being prayerful at all times to open us to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and be able to recognize him when he comes to us in any form.
Also, Like Simeon and Anna, while we pray and wait, we should give thanks always regardless of the duration of the waiting period or the challenges encountered while waiting.
Denis Ukange
My reflection
Today we are the messengers that the lord god is sending to prepare the way for his second coming, as the 1st reading as mentioned.
But how do we prepare the way for his 2nd coming? we can prepare the way for his 2nd coming by making sure that the world receives his gospel and recognizes him as the lord and savior of the world.
Our responsibility is not just to spread the good news to the ends of the world but also to be christ-like in our daily lives.
if we act different from what we preach, what difference are we from those who don't recognizes christ as their savior? we are not different from the unbelievers.
Just as simeon blessed him and said in the gospel reading that he's "a light for revelation to the gentiles ," today we are that light to the gentiles because we bear the mark of christ not on our foreheads but in our attitudes as christians. by preaching and practicing what we preach, we will be light for christ to the gentiles and we will wins many lost souls for him.
May the good lord continue to help and strengthen us to continue to announce christ to the world just as simeon and anna announced him before his parents and the multitudes in the temple, Amen.
Jennifer Nwatu
How dedicated are we with our Christian duty?
And our overall lives?
A very prominent character in the gospel reading, set for emulation is that of Simeon, and the Prophetess, Anna. They were both committed to matters/ issue of God, and God blessed them with old ripe age while being witness to his promise made long ago.
What about you and I?
Can we also learn from them?
Many of us have long turned our faces away from the things that build our faith as Christians.
Or attempt to be witness to the faith we profess.
Simeon and Anna were steadfast, growing use to God's ways and deepening their trust in him.
We too, can become another Simeon and Anna, if only we are willing to walk with God every day of our lives.
I'm quite sure it wasn't an easy walk but it is sure worthwhile.
No time spent with the Lord is seen to be a waste, this is indeed the story of Simeon and Anna.
What about you and I?
May God help us always
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| Paddy Kevwe |
Reflection
THE PRESENTATION
Going to the university, it is necessary to at least make one presentation. Of such is the seminar presentation and most times project defense. After the seminar presentation, we are so glad that a huge mark has been made in our academic sojourn. Likewise it is with when Children are brought to church for 'Dedication' as we call it. It is the first time that child would be publicly be presented in the church and before the believers. Such is the event of Christ's presentation today at the temple. But more profoundly is that this feast calls us to remember our own presentation also in the church. As such, the liturgy of today invites us to reflect on the Lord's presentation.
The first reading calls us to mind that the Lord will suddenly come to his temple. And unexpected expectation happened in the temple in the gospel today. Simeon and Anna are two devout people who were so privileged to be at the temple when Jesus was presented. There was no pre-information or announcement that such event was going to take place unlike what we have today that announcement is made for an upcoming event. Jesus has said he would come at a time and hour no one knows except the Father. My dear brothers and sisters, we are the temple of the Lord, are we ever ready for the Lord to come into his temple? This calls for our personal examination.
Calling for our personal examination, we are most times discouraged by the fact that we are weak humans, but then, our Lord also was human and partook in all that we are but except sin. And so, we must make the daily effort to make sure our body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit is ready and fitting to welcome the Lord when he comes around. Remember that the Lord's coming into your temple is dependent on if you will welcome him, and you do not welcome a visitor with dirty hands and environment. As such, let us make our temple a fitting place for the Lord to come in.
In doing so, we must take more care of our soul and that implies our body must reflect to a great extent how the soul is taken care of. In so many child presentations today, a lot of emphasises and preparations are made for the reception after church, and then, these same people cannot offer something tangible during their thanksgiving. They want to impress the people coming for reception than God who gave them all that they have.
The Lord comes to his temple today. And we are the temple of the Lord in our days. Are we ready for his presentation? Because, his presentation revealed some difficult aspect of his mission on earth. Imagine what Simeon told the mother that a sword shall pierce through your heart. Ordinarily, the presentation is supposed to evoke joy and happiness among other things, but the hard truth was spoken to Jesus' parents about his destiny to die for his people.
What then is our attitude when the unexpected happen? Do we loose faith so easily? Do we feel disappointed by the situation? No...we must be people of Faith. Until we recognize that our problems are our blessings in disguise, we will continue to wallow in misery. Many people may not reckon with you, but believe that God does not abandon his elect.
Let us go today once more to present ourselves to our loving Lord, so that we can be purified again and be made clean by the blood of the Lamb. May Christ's presentation be also our presentation back to him. And we can start doing this by making some resolutions that would help us achieve this feat in our Christian journey.
The example of Simeon and Anna should inspire us to be more close to the house of the Lord. I remember a friend once said, she made it a point of priority to be more closer to God and his activities as from her 40th birthday, and since then, it was evident in her life how God has continue to be faithful to her and her family. Let us listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, make us to be good representative of you to men in the world through Christ our Lord. Amen
#Shalom
Jude Okoro
Dear friends Tomorrow's readings offer a powerful reflection on the nature and of God's presence in our lives and the importance of faith, obedience, and devotion.
The Prophet Malachi 3:1-4 speaks of the coming of the Lord to his temple, where he will purify and refine his people like silver and gold. The first reading serves as a reminder to us that God is always present in our lives in all our undertakings, even when we may not feel his presence, yet He is the one who comes to us, to refine, purify us, and to make us holy and acceptable to him.
Psalm 24:7-10, echoes this theme, inviting us to lift up our heads and open the doors of our hearts to the King of glory, the King of Kings, who is strong and mighty and able to do more exceedingly all that we want and desire. This psalm reminds us that God is the one who is worthy of our praise and worship, and that we must be prepared to receive him into our lives. The Second Reading teaches us the importance of Jesus' incarnation and his role as our high priest. By becoming one of us, Jesus was able to destroy the power of death and free us from the fear of death. Let us know that Jesus Christ is our brother, our companion, and our advocate, who understands our weaknesses and struggles.
The story of the presentation of Jesus in the temple, where he is recognized by Simeon and Anna as the Messiah. The Gospel shows us the importance of faith, obedience, and devotion in our relationship with God. Simeon and Anna are examples of people who were faithful and obedient to God's will, and who were rewarded with the privilege of seeing the Messiah. How faithful, Obedient and Devoted are we to things of God?
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to consider our own relationship with God. Are we prepared to receive him into our lives? Are we faithful and obedient to his will? Do we recognize his presence in our midst?
May we, like Simeon and Anna, be faithful and devoted to God, and may we be blessed with the privilege of seeing his glory in our lives and all our undertakings. May we, like Jesus, be willing to become vulnerable and humble, in order to serve others and bring them closer to God. May God bless his words in our hearts through Christ our lord Amen
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