Daily Readings - Fri Feb 02 2024
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
In today's readings, we encounter themes of purification and the fulfillment of prophecy, weaving together the Old and New Testaments. The passage from Malachi speaks of a messenger preparing the way for the Lord, who will refine and purify like silver and gold. This prophecy points to a time of cleansing and readiness for God's people. In contrast, the Gospel from Luke presents the actual fulfillment of this prophecy through the purification of Mary and Joseph in the temple, where they offer the humble sacrifice of turtledoves, signifying their devotion despite limited means.
The connection between these readings is profound. Malachi's prophecy sets the stage for the arrival of the Messiah, emphasizing the need for spiritual purification. Luke's narrative shows this prophecy realized through Jesus, the Messiah, who is recognized by Simeon, a righteous man awaiting the consolation of Israel. Simeon's encounter with Jesus illustrates the fulfillment of God's promise and the light of revelation for all people.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own purification and readiness for God's presence. Just as Mary and Joseph humbly fulfilled the requirements of their faith, we are called to embrace humility and openness to God's plan. Simeon's patience and recognition of the Messiah remind us to stay attentive to God's workings in our lives. The moral lesson here is the importance of spiritual preparation and a willingness to embrace God's will, allowing us to recognize and receive the divine light in our midst.