Daily Readings - Wed Feb 02 2022
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 the themes of preparation, purification, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. In the first reading from Malachi, we hear about the coming of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord. This messenger will refine and purify the people, much like a refiner purifies silver. The passage speaks of a time when God will come to His temple, and His people will be cleansed and made holy. This is a call to readiness and repentance, reminding us that God’s presence demands a transformation in our lives.
In the Gospel, we see the fulfillment of this preparation in the person of Jesus Christ. Luke describes the presentation of Jesus in the temple, where Simeon, a righteous and devout man, recognizes the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Simeon’s encounter with Jesus is a moment of profound grace, as he holds in his arms the salvation of God, prepared for all peoples. This moment highlights the connection between the Old Testament promise and the New Testament fulfillment, showing how Jesus is the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of Israel.
These readings remind us that our lives must be marked by a spirit of preparation and openness to God’s presence. Just as Simeon awaited the consolation of Israel, we too are called to wait in hope for the fullness of God’s plan in our lives. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to refine us, to purify our hearts, and to guide us in living justly and faithfully. May we, like Simeon, recognize the presence of God in our midst and respond with joy and gratitude, trusting that God’s plan is always unfolding in our lives.