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Gospel Reading for February 02, 2026 – Luke 2: 22-32
ENTITLED
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
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.”
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Although Mary and Joseph knew that Jesus was the Son of God, they still went to the temple in Jerusalem to present the Child to the Lord, as required by the Mosaic Law for a firstborn son. This visit also fulfilled Mary’s purification forty days after giving birth. Hopefully, this reminds us that even the family of Jesus did not feel entitled to disregard the Mosaic Law.
Simeon’s long wait was finally over. His dream was fulfilled when he saw the Messiah, and even more so when he was granted the privilege of holding the young Messiah in his arms. Having seen the salvation promised by God, he was now ready to rest in eternal peace.
Lord Jesus, may we joyfully await Your second coming!
