When our children were infants, we can only dream of what they would grow up to be. When Joseph and Mary presented Baby Jesus at the Temple, they were given a glimpse into what lay ahead for them through the words uttered by Simeon and Anna.

Our reading tells us that Jesus grew to be strong, wise, and favored by God (Luke 2:40). We see this manifested in Jesus’ early signs of independence when He was lost in the Temple and wasn’t daunted by the older men. He wowed them with His wisdom as He preached and told His parents not to worry.

As parents, we fret about our children. Much as we want them to be in our arms forever and under our careful watch, time will come when they will be independent. They will assure us not to worry. They will prove to us that they have found their purpose. They will live their life carrying out their mission. We just have to be there to support them. Christine Babao (christinebabao@gmail.com)

reflect

“Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first.” (Matthew Jacobson)

Dear Lord, guide us to be the kind of parents like Mary and Joseph were, who will support our kids as they live the life they are meant to live.

St. Joan de Lestonnac, pray for us.

First Reading | Malachi 3:1-4

We need to be purified. Our lives, our actions, our thoughts and dreams need to be cleansed by the refiner’s fire. Does this mean everything in our life is sinful? No. But there are areas of our lives that are not redeemed—they have no place in a vision for the Kingdom of God. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to purify and transform us so we may become more and more like Jesus every day.

¹ Thus says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; and suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. ² But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. ³ He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord. ⁴ Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord, as in days of old, as in years gone by.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10

R: Who is the king of glory? It is the Lord!

⁷ Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals that the king of glory may come in! (R) ⁸ Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle. (R) ⁹ Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals that the king of glory may come in! (R) ¹⁰ Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts; he is the king of glory. (R)

Second Reading | Hebrews 2:14-18

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus has taken on our humanity so He can redeem us. As we reflect on today’s reading, may we realize that Jesus loves us deeply. Let us remember that He has deigned to become like us in every way except sin. May this truth inspire us to go out and bring the Gospel to the lost in society. Instead of waiting for people to come to us, let’s take the Gospel to them.

¹⁴ Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. ¹⁶ Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; ¹⁷ therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Gospel | Luke 2:22-32 (or Luke 2:22-40)

Simeon is a holy man awaiting the coming of the Messiah. Finally, he lays eyes on Him and he is ready to leave this world. Simeon can leave in peace because he has seen the “salvation of God” personally. Let us stand with Simeon in prayer; let us pray that Christ will perform miracles in our ministries. Let us commit to intercede for God’s Kingdom to manifest in the world.

Gospel Acclamation

A light of revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.

²² When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, ²³ just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, ²⁴ and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. ²⁵ 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. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. ²⁷ He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, ²⁸ he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: ²⁹ “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, ³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹ which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, ³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

Reflect:

“Today, we, too, like Mary and Simeon, want to take Jesus into our arms to bring Him to His people.” (Pope Francis)

Read the Bible in one year! Read ROMANS 5 - 8 today.

Ubi Caritas et Amor

A few weeks from now, we will enter the season of Lent. We shall hear once again that beautiful ancient hymn that has become a Lenten favorite: “Ubi caritas et amor . . . Deus ibi est.” That is Latin for “Where love and charity is, there God is.”

Today is the feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus. The Baby born last Christmas is now being presented by Joseph and Mary in the Temple as the ancient Jewish law prescribes. The Temple is the center of Jewish life and spirituality. It is where God is. That is why every firstborn is brought to the Temple. It is to declare that every person longs to dwell in God and that God dwells in him/her—in the heart of every man and woman.

I remember this old parable called The Origin of the First Temple.

Two brothers owned the same field. One has a family while the other is single. After a bountiful harvest, they divided the produce equally between them.

The family man thought to himself: “My brother lives alone. He has no one to help him. He should have a greater share of the harvest for his future.” And so every night, he would get his portion and secretly bring it to his brother’s barn.

The single man thought to himself: “My brother has a family and has more mouths to feed. He should have the greater share.” And so every night, he, too, would get his share and secretly bring it to his brother’s barn.

One night, in the middle of the darkness, they bumped into each other as they were carrying their share of harvest. There, they understood what was happening and why their stock keeps on being replenished. There and then, they embraced.

God witnessed what happened and, on the same spot, God built His temple.

Where love and charity is, there God is!

Where love and charity is, there God’s temple is! Fr. Joel O. Jason

reflection question

Love more, and more often. Then you will be building many of God’s temple.

“Ubi caritas et amor . . . Deus ibi est.”

Today, I pray for: __________________________________________