Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Today the Church  celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The assigned readings are Malachi 3:1-4, Hebrews 2:14-18, and Luke 2:22-40. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 24 (Psalm 24:7-10).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 24 Who Is This King Of Glory - Alstott

The Gospel reading is as follows:

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus 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: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for 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."

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: Presentation of the Lord (February 2, 2020)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2, 2020)

Community in Mission: Perspectives on the Presentation - A Homily for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (1 FEB 20)

Crossroads Initiative: Presentation of the Lord - Candlemas, Candles & Light

The Sacred Page: The Feast of the Presentation (30 JAN 20)

The Sacred Page: The Presentation of the Lord (The Mass Readings Explained) (27 JAN 20)

Rhode Island Catholic: The Quiet Corner: The Messiah's ministry of peace will lead to division (30 JAN 20)

Rhode Island Catholic: Sunday Scripture: An encounter with the Lord (30 JAN 20)'

St. Paul Center: Presenting the Present: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Feast of the Presentation

The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College: This Sunday, Look to the Consecrated for Hope (30 JAN 20)

Word on Fire: The Lord Returns to His Temple (Cycle A * Ordinary Time * Week Presentation of the Lord)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Readings: How the Presentation of the Lord Reveals the Divine Plan of Salvation (31 JAN 20)

Spirituality of the Readings: Blood & Flesh (Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

In Exile: The Anatomy of Sacrifice (Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

Glancing Thoughts: Freedom (Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

The Perspective of Justice: Presenting Jesus (Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Good Will Fishing (Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Timothy of Jerusalem (Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of candles and all they represent.

Msgr. Pope on the Return of the Ark of the Covenant

"I want to anticipate Sunday's feast of the  Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Let's consider an event that was glorious in its significance and fulfilment, yet was missed by nearly everyone.

"Joseph and Mary had brought Jesus to the Temple to present Him there. As they ascended the glorious steps to the Temple Mount, they were fulfilling a requirement of the Law. . . . Although they were fulfilling an obligation, something much more dramatic was taking place. To understand what, we must look back to 587 B.C."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on how the "Ark of God (Mary) had been found and God (Jesus) had returned to His temple, but only Simeon and Anna noticed, understood, and celebrated."

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: A Dramatic Moment in Biblical History that Almost Everyone Missed (30 JAN 20)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"The Beatitudes are the 'identity card' of a Christian. They are not about the joy that passes, but about happiness that knows how to live side by side with suffering." - Pope Francis

The Ventures: "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of The Ventures presenting "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of the men and women entering consecrated religious life.

World Day for Consecrated Life Celebrates Important Witness of Consecrated Persons in the Church

from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

Each year, the Catholic Church celebrates the World Day for Consecrated Life. Instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1997, the celebration is in conjunction with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day, commemorating the coming of Christ, the Light of the World, through the symbolic lighting of candles. Similarly, consecrated men and women are called to spread the light and love of Jesus Christ through their unique witness of selfless service, such as caring for the poor, the contemplative work of prayer, or through their professional careers. On February 2, 2020, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to recognize and pray for the essential role of consecrated persons in the life of the Church and to express gratitude for their service to the Church. Similarly, parishes in the United States will also celebrate consecrated life during the weekend of February 1-2 and recognize the essential role of consecrated persons in the life of the Church. As engaged members of their local communities, consecrated men and women bring the presence of Jesus to all they encounter throughout their day, allowing his Spirit to live and move within them so that the truth of the Gospel can be proclaimed to all.

Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations, reiterated the importance of the witness offered by those in consecrated life: "Consecrated men and women are a special treasure in the Church who allow the love of Jesus to become tangible. By dedicating their entire lives to following Christ, consecrated persons are particularly able to reach out to those on the peripheries of our society and bring the message of the Gospel to all those in need."

Each year, the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations asks the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) to conduct a survey of those solemnly professed in the United States in the past year. Some of the major findings of this year's report are:

•  The average age of the profession class of 2019 is 39. Half of the responding religious are age 34 or younger. The youngest is 24 and the oldest is 71.
•  Two-thirds of the responding religious (69 percent) report their primary race or ethnicity as white. One in ten (10 percent) identifies as Hispanic, and one in ten (9 percent) identify as Asian.
•  Three in four of responding religious (74 percent) were born in the United States. Of those born outside the United States, the most common country of origin is the Philippines.
•  Twenty-five percent of responding religious earned a graduate degree before entering their religious institute. Three-fourths (74 percent) entered their religious institute with at least a bachelor's degree (77 percent for women and 69 percent for men).
•  Around nine in ten responding religious (89 percent) served in one or more church ministries before entering their religious institute, most commonly as a lector (51 percent), altar server (44 percent), or Extraordinary Minister of Communion (42 percent).
•  On average, responding religious report that they were 19 years old when they first considered a vocation to religious life, but half were 18 or younger when they first did so.
• Nine in ten responding religious (91 percent) regularly participated in some type of private prayer activity before they entered their religious institute. Three-fifths or more participated in Eucharistic Adoration or prayed the rosary before entering. Nearly six in ten participated in spiritual direction or retreats before entering.

To access a copy of the complete CARA report, please visit:

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate: January2019Women and Men Professing Perpetual Vowsin Religious Life:The Profession Class of 2019 (January 2019)

Reflection Starter from St. Thomas More

"Proud is many a man who looks down on his neighbor because the wool of his gown is finer! Yet as fine as it is, a poor sheep wore it upon her back before it came upon his back, and all the while she wore it, she was after all still only a sheep. And why should he now think himself better than she was simply by having that wool - wool that, even though it is now his, is still not so truly his as it was truly hers?" - Saint Thomas More