Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection February 02, 2025

02nd February 2025 (Sunday)

Psalter: Proper

Reading of the Day

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

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. 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. 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. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 (R. 8)

R/. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Second Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18

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, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; 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. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

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

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel : Luke 2:22-40

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, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, 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. 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 should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 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, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 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 -and you yourself a sword will pierceso that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 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, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 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. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

Daily Gospel Reflection

The Presentation of The Lord

Opener: To offer oneself totally for one’s own good is good but not great. But to offer oneself for others’ good is great and noble

Today we celebrate the festivity of the presentation of the Lord in the temple. This is clearly symbolic and indicative of the nature and purpose of Jesus’ life and mission. His human earthly life is an offering of the Father to humanity and for humanity for their salvation and redemption.

Thus his life is sacrificial and his mission is redemptive. The ritual presentation of the Lord symbolizes his actual presentation by his death and resurrection. What a destiny and mystery! He came to die, but it is not to remain under the shackles of death to disappear completely. It is only to rise gloriously and thus make us live again.

In his presentation, in one scene is seen the whole story of his life and the culmination of it. In his presentation, we witness a totally different God. It is not a God who is appeased by various presentations and offerings by the humans but a God who offers his own self. He does not offer merely some gifts and boons, but offers his most precious Son.

Thereby God reveals and reminds us of His very nature, the nature of true love, and also of the essence of salvation. Our God is a self-offering God; true love is self-offering and salvation consists in self-offering for others.

Jesus’ presentation in the temple is not merely a ritual fulfilment. It is not merely a chronological event in the history of his life. It is not merely a part of his natural human growth. It is an integral part of the redemptive process.

His presentation is also a representation and invitation for our own presentation. Just as he is presented by the Father through his parents for the whole humanity, so too we must present and offer ourselves to God for the sake of others. It is only in self-giving and surrender that we obtain our salvation. And It is only in this life of offering that we fulfil our mission of salvation of others.

As long as we refuse to offer and surrender ourselves to God and for the good of others, our life will have no meaning and no destiny. All the forces of self- centeredness, self-closure, defiance and unreined freedom are clear contradictions to the very essence of our life and mission!

Direction: Undue self-clinging and self-indulgence, losing sight of surrender to God and commitment to others’ good are self- destructive!