Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 2, 2021
First Reading: Malachi 3.1-4 or Hebrews 2.10-11, 13b-18
1Behold, I send my angel, and he will prepare the way before my face. And presently the Sovereign, whom you seek, and the angel of testimony, whom you desire, will arrive at his temple. Behold, he approaches, says the Lord of hosts2And who will be able to consider the day of his advent, and who will stand firm in order to see him? For he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller’s herb3And he will sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he will purge the sons of Levi, and he will gather them like gold and like silver, and they will offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice4And the sacrifice of Judah and of Jerusalem will please the Lord, just as in the days of past generations, and as in the ancient years
10For it was fitting for him, because of whom and through whom all things exist, who had led many children into glory, to complete the authorship of their salvation through his Passion11For he who sanctifies, and those who are sanctified, are all from One. For this reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying13And again: "I will be faithful in him." And again: "Behold, I and my children, whom God has given to me.14Therefore, because children have a common flesh and blood, he himself also, in like manner, has shared in the same, so that through death, he might destroy him who held the dominion of death, that is, the devil15and so that he might free those who, through the fear of death, had been condemned to servitude throughout their entire life16For at no time did he take hold of the Angels, but instead he took hold of the offspring of Abraham17Therefore, it is fitting for him to be made similar to his brothers in all things, so that he might become a merciful and faithful High Priest before God, in order that he might bring forgiveness to the offenses of the people18For in as much as he himself has suffered and has been tempted, he also is able to assist those who are tempted
Psalm 24
1For the First Sabbath. A Psalm of David. The earth and all its fullness belong to the Lord: the whole world and all that dwells in it2For he has founded it upon the seas, and he has prepared it upon the rivers3Who will ascend to the mountain of the Lord? And who will stand in his holy place4The innocent of hands and the clean of heart, who has not received his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor5He will receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God, his Saviour6This is the generation that seeks him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob7Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter8Who is this King of Glory? The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle9Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter10Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of virtue. He himself is the King of Glory
Gospel: Luke 2.22-32
22And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord23just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,24and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him26And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord27And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law28he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said29"Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word30For my eyes have seen your salvation31which you have prepared before the face of all peoples32the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the theme of preparation and purification in our journey toward God. In the first reading from Malachi, the prophet speaks of the Lord’s messenger who will come to refine and purify the people, preparing them for the arrival of the Sovereign. This passage emphasizes the transformative power of God’s presence, likening it to a refining fire that cleanses and strengthens us. It reminds us that our encounter with God requires us to be ready, to let go of impurities, and to be open to His divine work in our lives.
The Gospel from Luke presents the scene of Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the temple for the ritual of purification, as prescribed by the law. Here, Simeon, a righteous and Spirit-filled man, recognizes the child as the long-awaited Messiah. Simeon’s prayer, known as the *Nunc Dimittis*, expresses his deep trust in God’s promises and his readiness to depart in peace, having seen the salvation prepared for all humanity. This moment highlights the intersection of faith, patience, and the fulfillment of God’s plan.
Both readings remind us of the importance of preparation and openness to God’s will. Just as Malachi calls us to purification and Simeon exemplifies trust in God’s timing, we are invited to reflect on our own lives. Are we preparing our hearts for the Lord’s presence? Are we attentive to the ways God speaks to us, even in unexpected moments? The readings encourage us to embrace a spirit of humility, patience, and faith, knowing that God’s plan unfolds in His own time. Let us, like Simeon, remain faithful and open to the Holy Spirit, trusting that we, too, will see the light of salvation in our lives and in the world.