The Presentation of the Lord - Feast 


Malachi 3:1-4

Psalm 23(24):7-10

Luke 2:22-40




Today marks the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, 40 days after his birth, when Mary and Joseph presented him, symbolized by turtle doves, as prescribed by law. This act echoes Leviticus 12:8, where turtle doves replace a lamb sacrifice. Love and faithfulness, attainable in any vocation through obedience to God, bring wisdom of heart. Simeon, who had been promised he would see the Messiah, recognized Jesus as salvation and proclaimed him a light to the nations (Luke 2:21-32). This is often said at compline to entrust our lives to God before we sleep. 



The feast also celebrates Mary’s purification, a Jewish ritual of reverence for birth. All need spiritual cleansing from sin, which only Jesus can provide. The Gospel concludes with Jesus growing in wisdom and God's favor (Luke 2:40). In 1997, Pope John Paul II established a day of prayer for those in consecrated life, reflecting Christ’s light. Today, Jesus is presented as the Light to the nations—obey, embrace him, and share his message. Like Simeon and Anna, we are called to bring others to meet Christ, our salvation.



Happy Feast Day



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