READINGS FOR THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE – CANDLEMAS
First reading Malachi 3:1-4
‘The Lord whom you seek will come to his Temple.’
Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his Temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? 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 sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 24(23):7. 8. 9. 10. ℟8a
The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory!
O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory!
Who is this king of glory?
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant;
the Lord, the valiant in war.
The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory!
O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory!
Who is this king of glory?
He, the Lord of hosts,
he is the king of glory.
The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory!
Second reading Hebrews 2:14-18
‘He had to be made like his brothers, so that he might become merciful.’
Since the children share in flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Gospel Acclamation Luke 2:32
Alleluia, alleluia.
A light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.
Alleluia.
Gospel Luke 2:22-40
‘The child grew, filled with wisdom.’
When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said 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, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the Temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.’
And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed — and a sword will pierce through your own soul also — so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the Temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favour of God was upon him
