Daily Readings - Fri Feb 02 2018
First Reading - Malachi 3.1-4 or Hebrews 2.10-11, 13b-18
Malachi
1"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.2But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap.3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,4and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.
Hebrews
10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.13And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me."14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Luke
22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord" ),24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.30For my eyes have seen your salvation,31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on themes of preparation, purification, and the fulfillment of God's promises. In Malachi, we hear of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord, a refining fire that purifies and cleanses. This passage, written during a time of spiritual complacency, calls the people to return to God with sincerity. In Luke, we witness the presentation of Jesus in the temple, where Simeon, a man of deep faith, recognizes the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. This event not only fulfills Jewish customs but also Simeon's personal promise from the Holy Spirit.
These readings are intricately connected, as Malachi's prophecy of purification finds its fulfillment in Jesus. The refining fire symbolizes the transformative power of Christ, who brings light and salvation to all nations. Simeon's encounter with Jesus exemplifies the patience and trust required to await God's promises, encouraging us to remain faithful and attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in our lives.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us of the importance of spiritual purification and readiness. Just as the Israelites needed to align their hearts with God's will, we too must examine our actions and intentions. Let us embrace the transformative power of Christ, allowing Him to refine us. May we, like Simeon, trust in God's plan and recognize the divine light in our midst. Through faith and trust, we can live as beacons of hope, reflecting God's glory to the world.