Walk in the Spirit February 2020

Sunday 2nd February 2020
Malachi:3/1-4
Psalm:23/7-10
(24/7-10)
Hebrews:2/14-18
Luke:2/22-40 OR
2/22-32
Introduction
Today, forty days after celebrating
the birth of our Lord Jesus, we celebrate
yet another special feast. Holy Mother
the Church is inviting us today to celebrate
the blessed moment of the infant
Jesus being offered in the temple of
God. On this feast day we commemorate
another manifestation of the Lord Jesus.
He is the light of the people of God as
well as the glory of the Israelites, the
chosen people of God. Also He is a contradictory
sign in comparison to what the
world admires. We too who are followers
of Christ are being invited through the
celebration of the day to bear the light of
Christ to the world where we are called
to be contradictory signs since accomplishing
our duties sincerely, faithfully
and righteously could be a contradiction
before the world. Therefore pleading
with the Lord to turn us into angels of
light carrying the light of Christ to the
world, let us reflect on the word of God
for the day.
The First Proclamation
See, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me, and the
Lord whom you seek will suddenly
come to his temple. The messenger of
the covenant in whom you delight -
indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of
hosts. But who can endure the day of
his coming, and who can stand when
he appears?
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
The Presentation of the Lord
For he is like a refiner's fire and
like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner
and purifier of silver, and he will
purify the descendants of Levi and
refine them like gold and silver, until
they present offerings to the Lord in
righteousness. Then the offering of
Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing
to the Lord as in the days of old and
as in former years.
Prayerful Awareness
In an unjust social context one of
the many questions that had come up
was "Where is the God who is just?"
And the response given by the prophet
is "the angel of the covenant whom you
are longing for is coming." The promise
stated by the prophets in the years of
old (Jeremiah 31:31) is unfolded again
before the people. With regard to the
feast celebrated today it has already been
manifested to the world. Also the prophet
reveals that in the same manner the
Israelites of old experienced immense
protection and security throughout their
wilderness journey the people of the new
covenant too will be welcomed by the
Lord as in former days.
The Gospel Proclamation
When the time came for their purification
according to the Law of Moses,
they brought him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord …. and they
offered a sacrifice according to what
is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair
of turtle-doves or two young pigeons."
Now there was a man in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon; this man
was righteous and devout; looking
forward to the consolation of Israel
and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It
had been revealed to him by the Holy
Spirit that he would not see death before
he had seen the Lord's Messiah.
… Simeon took him in his arms and
praised God, saying, "Master, now
you are dismissing your servant in
"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"
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