By Fr. Andrew Kelly
THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD – FEB. 2, 2014
The believer, like Simeon in Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 2:22-40), is “righteous and devout,” meaning faithful and filled with reverence and awe in God’s presence. Again, like Simeon, the believer is waiting expectantly for the fullness of God’s consolation and salvation.
As Simeon was guided by the Holy Spirit, so the believer now sits in community with other believers listening to God’s holy Scriptures and then eating and drinking Jesus’ body and blood.
As Simeon took the child Jesus into his arms, so the believer’s soul absorbs God’s holy Scriptures and Jesus’ body and blood. As the word, body and blood penetrate, the believer experiences again the fullness of God’s consolation and salvation as promised to Simeon and to all who are faithful and devout.
From the depths of Simeon’s and now also the believer’s soul rises the profound hymn of praise and thanksgiving:
“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
The gathered community joins in with a resounding glorious joyful acclamation of “Amen!”
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
Scripture Readings for Feb. 2-9
Sunday
Mal 3:1-4
Heb 2:14-18
Lk 2:22-40 or Lk 2:22-32
Monday
2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13
Mk 5:1-20
Tuesday
2 Sm 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3
Mk 5:21-43
Wednesday
2 Sm 24:2, 9-17
Mk 6:1-6
Thursday
1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12
Mk 6:7-13
Friday
Sir 47:2-11
Mk 6:14-29
Saturday
1 Kgs 3:4-13
Mk 6:30-34
Sunday
Is 58:7-10
1 Cor 2:1-5
Mt 5:13-16
