Sunday, February 2
PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
We follow Christ Our Light
Greetings (See Second Reading) Jesus shared the same flesh and blood that we do so that he could become completely like his brothers and sisters and, compassionate and trustworthy, atone for our human sins. May this Lord Jesus be always with you. R/ And with your spirit.
Introduction Today we celebrate the Presentation of the Child and Lord Jesus in the Temple. Eastern Churches call this feast: “the encounter”. Jesus comes to the Temple to encounter his people in the persons of Simeon and Anna, who stand for the Old Testament or Covenant. They recognize Jesus as the long-expected hope of Israel. He is to lead God’s people into the New Testament or Covenant, and from now on, all are invited to follow the Lord Jesus. Today, we recognize Jesus as the light of our life, and with lighted candles in our hands, we follow him: we become lights of Christ, our Light.
Blessings of candles
Let us pray that the Lord may kindle in our hearts the fire to follow Jesus our light (pause)
God our Father, you are the true light. When you speak, darkness gives way to light, The world reflects your brightness, We can live in the light of your love. As we carry these lighted candles into the Church Make our faces and heart radiate with your glory. With your Son, make is children of the light, Keep us from the darkness of sin; Lead us to your everlasting light Through him who is our way, our truth, and life, And the light of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Procession Let us go in peace to meet the Lord.
Mass In the Mass with the blessing of candles, there is no penitential act after the entrance song; the Mass continues with the Gloria and the Opening Prayer. In other Masses of the day without the blessing of candles, the following penitential act could be used:
Penitential Act We have at times followed other “lights” than Christ, the true Light. We ask now the Lord to forgive us (pause)
Lord Jesus, let your light guide us on the road to the Father: Lord have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, shine on us the light of your truth and wisdom of the Spirit: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ have mercy.
Lord Jesus, let the light of your mercy gather all nations in your love: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us our sins. May we walk in the light of Christ into everlasting light. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray that with Jesus our light we may set resolutely in the road of renewal. (Pause)
Our God and Father, It is hard for us to say farewell To all that looks familiar and safe: our settled ways, our self-complacency, our certainties, our practices. We offer our self with Jesus our Lord and ask for the strength to follow his light. Help us to accept with him the insecurity of true renewal and to bring to all around us the light and warmth of your Son. Let this be the sacrifice we offer you today with Jesus, and Mary his Mother. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
Reading 2 Heb 2:14-18
Gospel: Lk 2:22-40
Intercessions
Let us pray to our Lord Jesus, who is the saving light of all nations and the glory of his people, and let us say:
R/ Lord, let your light shine on us.
For the Church, that it may show the world the true face of Christ and be the sign that in him all are to be saved, let us pray:
R/ Lord, let your light shine on us.
For the pope, and for all in the Church who render a service of authority, that they may have the courage to speak out and act in the name of truth and justice, and that they bear witness to the love of Christ, let us pray: R/
For all fathers and mothers, that they may inspire their children by their own way of living, to follow the light of Christ, let us pray: R/
For all Christians, that the Spirit of the Lord may guide them to be true to their conscience, let us pray: R/
For the poor, the sick, and the discouraged, that they may still keep their eyes turned to the light of Christ and that they may discover it particularly in dedicated Christians, let us pray: R/
For all of us in this community, that we may be at least a pale reflection of the light of Christ, let us pray: R/
Lord Jesus Christ, without you we walk in the dark. Let your light shine brightly in us, that we may become in our limited way your light to the world, for you are our light shining bright now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer of the Gifts
Lord God, almighty and living Father, you let your line shine in our darkness: you give us your son Jesus Christ and let us share in this offering. Accept us with our half-truths And our groping efforts to seek your will. Purify our faith in the trials of life. May our offering be pleasing to you Through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer Let us offer the prayer of Jesus to our Father in heaven. R/ Our Father…
Deliver us Deliver us, Lord, from the darkness of sin and let the light of your love and peace shine on us, your people. Purify your Church, that it may bear witness to the light of the gospel in a world torn with wars and strife. Let your kindly light lead us forward in hope and joy, as we work for the full coming among us of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ Amen.
Invitation to Communion
This is our Lord Jesus Christ who is the light that come into the world to enlighten all people. Happy re we to share in his offering and to receive him as the bread of life. R/ Lord, I am not worthy…
Prayer after Communion
Our God and Father, You spoke your mighty Word to the world and there was light. You have spoken your Word Jesus Christ among us and there is light in our minds and hearts. Do not allow us to keep this light of Jesus hidden under the shade of our mediocrity, but let it shine in our words and deeds, that it may brighten the footsteps of all people in search of the truth. We ask this on account of him, who is the light and the guiding star of our lives, Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
Lead, kindly light! Let Christ lead us all on the bright path of goodness and love, that we may reach our destiny and reflect the Lord’s light on the people around us. May Almighty God bless us for this task, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen. Go in peace and take the light of Christ with you to let it shine on all. R/ Thanks be to God.
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Reflection: 2nd February, Feast of the Presentation Day of Consecrated Life Luke 2:22-40 Raise the Lord in our arms
The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple is also the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, honouring and praying for the lives of all men and women who have heroically consecrated their lives to the Lord, for the love of God and in service to God’s people. Every believer is consecrated to the Lord, and today, we recall our consecration to the Lord at the time of our baptism. Being consecrated, we are set apart to do the work of God, never alone but with our brothers and sisters. The Feast of the Presentation is also a celebration of the long-awaited arrival of the Messiah in the temple and his meeting with his faithful people. Jesus’ presentation in the temple is an act of community represented by Simeon and Anna. The Lord comes to us, brought to us by Mary and Joseph, and we go towards him guided by the Holy Spirit. He is at the centre. He draws us to the Temple, to the Church, where we can meet him, welcome him, and embrace him. The feast invites us to reflect on the meeting between the young and the old: Mary and Joseph, with their infant son, meet the old Simeon and Anna. It is important for the elderly to share their wisdom with the young, as it is for the youth to gather and carry forward this wealth of experience and wisdom, addressing the challenges of life. Forty days have passed since Christmas, and it may be that the Star of Bethlehem that “we have seen in its rising” is disappearing in the sky. The Church brings us the opportunity to meet that Child again: she invites us to welcome him in our arms, as did Simeon and Anna, the poor of Israel, the people attentive to the voice of the Spirit.
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2 February 2025 Presentation of the Lord –
World Day of Consecrated
Life Luke 2:22-40 God has consecrated us and set us apart The Gospel of Luke recounts the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, where Mary and Joseph fulfil the Law of Moses by offering their son to God. This feast reminds us of three key lessons for our faith and families today. First, the Holy Family's obedience to the Law of the Lord highlights their harmony with God’s Word. Amid poverty and challenges, they lived in tune with divine will. Their example calls us to centre our families on God, trusting His Word to guide us through life's trials. Second, the presentation teaches us that children are not possessions but gifts entrusted to us by God. Mary and Joseph, despite their hopes for Jesus, surrendered Him to God’s greater plan. Parents today are invited to dedicate their children to God, nurturing them to fulfil God’s plans and purposes for them. Third, the simplicity of the Holy Family’s offering—a pair of pigeons—shows that Jesus was born among the poor. This humbling reality invites us to draw close to Christ, who identifies with our struggles. Simeon and Anna, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognise the infant Jesus as the Messiah. Their lives of faith and patient waiting embody hope and trust in God’s promises. Simeon’s song, a prayer of peaceful surrender, reminds us that a life lived for God brings true fulfilment. Anna’s unwavering worship for eight decades represents the faithful remnant who awaits the coming of God’s intervention with joy. Mary and Joseph’s joy in fulfilling the Law reflects a deep and loving relationship with God, while Simeon and Anna’s openness to the Holy Spirit reveals the vitality of a life rooted in faith. This encounter also mirrors consecrated life: a meeting with Christ that transforms us. Through the Church and the charisms of our religious communities, we encounter Christ, recognise Him, and embrace His mission. May the Holy Spirit guide us to joyfully live our vocation, fostering unity and openness to the voice of God, as we continue our journey together.
