My son was sharing about his day the other night. But his sisters were laughing and talking loudly, so I couldn’t hear him. He got frustrated and called my attention. 

That made me realize that we sometimes do the same thing to God. He wants to speak to us, but we’re surrounded by too much noise—busyness, distractions, stress, and worries. Even our hearts can be noisy, filled with our own thoughts and plans, leaving no room for Him.

For the Holy Spirit to move in us, we must first know Him. We must create the right environment for Him to work in our lives. That means we need to quiet down. Make time for prayer. Read Scripture. Reflect on God’s presence. When we do, we will begin to recognize His voice leading us each day. 

Today, let God’s spirit move in you! 

Monching Bueno (ramon_bueno@yahoo.com)

reflect

What is God’s Spirit asking you to do today?

Lord, help me to silence the noise around me so I can hear You. Move in my heart and guide me in Your ways. Amen.

St. Joan de Lestonnac, pray for us.

First Reading | Malachi 3:1-4

We all need to undergo purification. Sin has detrimental effects in us. These effects endure, and there is only little we can do to abolish them. It is only through the grace of God that we can overcome the powers of sin and be healed from its effects. Let us proclaim to the world that salvation is still possible through God's love.

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 this 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 (Optional*) | Hebrews 2:14-18

Jesus is presented in the temple to fulfill the command of the Law. He and His family follow the normal Jewish way of life during His early years. When He starts His ministry, the authorities begin to see Jesus challenging some of the age-old interpretations of the Law—the Word of God. Jesus fulfills the Law by remaining obedient to its essence. We, too, are called to fulfill the Law by being true to its spirit.

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

Luke makes it clear that Jesus’ upbringing is that of a good Jew. Jesus is not here to cause problems and be a rebel. However, when He comes across injustice, He takes a stand regardless of the consequences. He is not afraid to stand up to the authorities and challenge their understanding. The same must be true for all His disciples—an unwavering commitment to living the truth of the Gospel at all times.

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.”    ³³ The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; ³⁴ and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted ³⁵ —and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” ³⁶ There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, ³⁷ and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day with fasting and prayer. ³⁸ And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. ³⁹ When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Read the Bible in one year! Read ROMANS 13 - 16 today.

The Hunger and Thirst in Every Encounter

A central theme of Pope Francis’ pontificate was the call to create a culture of encounter—fostering understanding, peace, and solidarity. He consistently advocated for encounters rooted in openness, respect, and humility. His visits—such as the 2013 trip to Lampedusa to meet refugees, his 2016 interfaith dialogue with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and his 2019 travels to Mozambique, Madagascar, and Mauritius—highlighted his commitment to global solidarity.

Pope Francis believed that love is the transformative force that unites people and heals divisions. For him, true encounters transcend language, belief, race, or religion. They address our shared hunger for truth, belonging, and God. Our deepest connections are rooted in compassion and mutual respect, allowing us to see God in one another.

The Presentation of the Lord invites us to reflect on the profound meeting between humanity and the divine. This feast commemorates three key moments: Joseph and Mary presenting Jesus, Mary’s purification, and Simeon and Anna recognizing Jesus as the light for the Gentiles and the redemption of Israel. These actions follow Mosaic law (Exodus 13:12; Leviticus 12:6-8), with Mary and Joseph offering two turtledoves. Simeon proclaims Jesus as God’s salvation, and Anna praises Him as the redemption of Israel.

Simeon blesses God for fulfilling His promise, calling Jesus “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.” This moment reflects the Christmas theme of light overcoming darkness, symbolized by the star that guided the Magi. The Presentation is also known as “Candlemas” or “The Encounter” in different cultures. It is a moment of promise and fulfillment, where young and old meet. Our encounters are not just chance meetings—they are opportunities to be vessels of light and hope in a world that longs for peace and unity. 

Fr. Paolo Asprer, SSP

reflection questions

In your encounters, do you reflect the transformative love Pope Francis speaks of? Do you meet others with humility, embracing the hunger for truth, belonging, and connection that unites us all?

Lord, open our hearts to listen with compassion and see the shared yearning for truth in every soul we meet. May our every encounter mirror Your love.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________________________