Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2, 22-35
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Offer
1. Respect the law. We all live under the law, and it’s important to acknowledge and honor it. Ignoring rules and refusing to accept our boundaries leads to rebellion and carelessness, rather than genuine freedom. The Mother of God and Saint Joseph embraced their duty by following the Jewish religious law. This is a remarkable example set by God—those who could have easily chosen not to follow the law, instead honored it. Mary and Joseph did exactly what was expected of them. Yet, we sometimes complain about simple obligations, like attending Mass on Sundays. Through Jesus, we learn that true freedom comes from understanding and respecting the limits placed in our lives.
2. Offer. Offering is central to the Christian way of life. We’re invited to dedicate everything we do and receive to God each day. Entrust your day and your tasks to God. Begin your day by saying, “Lord, I offer you everything I do today,” and end your day with, “Thank you for everything I have experienced today.” These simple prayers are acts of offering.
3. A sword. Like Mary, each of us faces moments when our hearts are pierced by a “sword”—the pain of misunderstanding, helplessness, or frustration at not being able to help or make a difference. These experiences can deeply wound us and cause us to feel as though opportunities are slipping away. If you are enduring such heartache, remember Mary’s patience and faith. Trust in the Lord, knowing that through perseverance and praise, abundant and eternal life awaits you.
Never forget that something good is on the way!
God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
