Daily Readings - Thu Feb 02 2023
First Reading - Malachi 3.1-4 or Hebrews 2.10-11, 13b-18
Malachi
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
Hebrews
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
Luke
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
In today's readings, we encounter themes of preparation and recognition of God's presence. The first reading from Malachi speaks of a messenger preparing the way for the Lord, who will refine and purify His people. This prophecy sets the stage for the Messiah's arrival, emphasizing the need for spiritual readiness. The Gospel from Luke illustrates the fulfillment of this prophecy through the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Here, Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognizes the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, embodying the light of salvation for all people.
The context of Malachi's prophecy is a call to repentance, urging the people to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Lord. Luke's narrative shifts this to the actual arrival of Jesus, highlighting Simeon's faithful anticipation and recognition of God's promise. Together, these readings bridge prophecy and fulfillment, showing how Jesus is the refining fire who brings light and purification.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own preparation for God's presence. Like Simeon, we are called to be attentive to the Holy Spirit, open to recognizing God's work in our midst. The moral lesson here is the importance of spiritual readiness and openness, allowing God to refine us and shine His light through us to the world. May we embrace this purification, living as beacons of God's love and light in our communities.