Welcome to our Bible Study

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord AFebruary 2, 2014

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgyAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st Reading: Malachi 3,1-4

1 Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.

2 But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. 3 He will sit refining and purifying (silver), and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. 4 Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in days of old, as in years gone by.

The focus is on purifying.

1st Reading: Malachi 3,1-4

The Messenger 1 Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way

before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.

To Purify 2 But who will endure the day of his coming? And who

can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. 3 He will sit refining and purifying (silver), and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. 4 Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in days of old, as in years gone by.

A simple outline.

1st Reading: Malachi 3,1-4

1 Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.

2 But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. 3 He will sit refining and purifying (silver), and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. 4 Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in days of old, as in years gone by.

Commentary The reading comes from the last of the

prophetic books, which was written after the Exile..

“Malachi” means “my messenger.” The prophet was against abuses and

lousy services of the priests in the Temple.

He also warns the lay Israelites against marrying pagans.

V.1, as we know, refers to John the Baptist who prepares for Jesus (the Lord whom you seek).

V.2 poses hypothetical question in parallel form: who will endure // stand? Day of his coming // when he appears?

V.2c uses similes. The messenger will be like refiner’s fire or like the fuller’s lye (soap or alkali).

1st Reading: Malachi 3,1-4

1 Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.

2 But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. 3 He will sit refining and purifying (silver), and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. 4 Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in days of old, as in years gone by.

V.3 tells of the mission of the messenger in parallel form: refining and purifying // purify sons of Levi (priests) and refine them…

Vv.3b-4 state the purpose of purification: that they may offer due sacrifice // sacrifice pleasing to God.

V.4b recalls of the worthy sacrifices offered perhaps during Solomon or before the Exile, when the services were not lousy and the priests were holy.

Reflections on the 1st reading

We have to give our best when offering to God. We must be worthy to appear before his presence. God knows what is in our hearts and minds. God wills our conversions and purifications. We and our offerings are unacceptable if we are not

purified. Participation in the liturgy requires this kind of

preparation. It is not enough to take a bath and don an appropriate

dress and make up. God exacts change of heart. This is true religion.

Responsorial Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10

R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

7 Lift up, O gates, your lintels;reach up, you ancient portals,that the king of glory may come in!

8 Who is this king of glory?The LORD, strong and mighty,the LORD, mighty in battle.

9 Lift up, O gates, your lintels;reach up, you ancient portals,that the king of glory may come in!

10 Who is this king of glory?The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.

Responsorial Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It

is the Lord!

7 Lift up, O gates, your lintels;reach up, you ancient portals,that the king of glory may come in!

8 Who is this king of glory?The LORD, strong and mighty,the LORD, mighty in battle.

9 Lift up, O gates, your lintels;reach up, you ancient portals,that the king of glory may come in!

10 Who is this king of glory?The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.

Commentary The psalm is a liturgical

psalm. In v.7, lintels are the

ancient gates, doorway. God is identified as king of

glory. V.8 describes the king of

glory as strong and mighty in battle (powerful warrior).

V.9 repeats v.7. V.10 tells us further who

the king is: the Lord of hosts.

Reflections on the Psalm

God has majestic attributes.He is a powerful God.Nothing can be more powerful than him.In our liturgy, we must not take him for

granted.Let us not shabbily welcome him.We honor him by our good preparations.

2nd Reading: Hebrews 2,14-18

14 Since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. 16 Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; 17 therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

The focus is on God’s mercy.

2nd Reading: Hebrews 2,14-18 14 Since the children share in

blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. 16 Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; 17 therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Commentary V.14 tells that Jesus shared our

fleshly life to destroy the devil who has the power of death.

V.15 tells that Jesus liberates us from slavery.

V.16 tells us that Jesus prioritized humans, not angels.

V.17 repeats v.14 and states Jesus’ purpose:

To become merciful and faithful high priest. (It is only in this book that Jesus is called high priest).

To expiate the sins of the people. V.18 tells of Jesus’ capacity to help

those who are in trial, because he himself underwent the same.

Reflections on the 2nd reading

Jesus can do much to purify us, because he is in solidarity with us.

His becoming human with its burden of suffering makes him sympathetic and merciful to us.

He know what it means to suffer from evil and what it means to die.

Gospel Reading: Luke 2,22-40

22 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,“ 24 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.

Commentary The reading is part of the infancy

narrative of Luke. Luke presents the Holy Family as

law-abiding Jews. They fulfill the obligations as Jewish

citizens. In v.22, they go to Jerusalem for the

purification (of Mary, 40 days after giving birth) and to present Jesus in the Temple.

V.23 immediately focuses on the reason for Jesus’ presentation: being first born male child. God owns him.

V.24 indicates the offering of Mary and Joseph to take back the child (to redeem him).

They act according to the Law.

Gospel Reading: Luke 2,22-40

25 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.26 It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. 27 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, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: 29 "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.“

V.25 introduces Simeon to highlight Jesus. He is described as righteous, devout, hoping for the liberation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit is with him.

V.26 tells us that he will not see until he has seen Christ.

In v.27, he goes to the Temple and now the parents of Jesus arrive to perform the rites.

V.28 describes Simeon taking hold of the child and says his canticle.

Vv.29-32 contain the lyrics of his song, the “Nunc Dimittis.”

In v.29, Simeon spells out what is said in v.26.

Vv.30-32 describe who the child is: salvation, light and glory for the people Israel.

Gospel Reading: Luke 2,22-40

33 The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34 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 35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.“

V.33 indicates the parents’ reaction: amazement.

In v.34, after blessing them, Simeon turns to Mary and tells the consequences of the child’s mission: rise and fall of many.

In v.35, Mary will not be spared of sufferings.

The purpose of God: to bring into the open what is in the heart of each one, whether their thoughts and actions are acceptable to God or not.

Gospel Reading: Luke 2,22-40

36 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, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 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.

V.36 introduces another personage: Anna, prophetess, an old woman, over a hundred years, if you compute from the day of her marriage at about 13 or 14.

V.37 describes how devout she is: always praying in the temple, fasting.

In v.38, she approaches the Holy Family and delivers her own message, similar to that of Simeon, though not spelled out here.

Gospel Reading: Luke 2,22-40

39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

V.39 closes the story of the presentation. Mission accomplished. They go back to Nazareth.

V.40 gives a commentary on the child Jesus. Luke here prepares us to follow the story of Jesus as the Messiah, as Redeemer, and as Savior.

Reflections on the Gospel

The Holy Family shows their sense of belongingness to the Jewish nation and to God.

They take pains to fulfill the Law. They go out of their comfort zones. No home service.

The child Jesus has a great mission and destiny. There will be trouble, when Jesus begins and

continues with his mission, unmasking the evil that is deeply embedded in the hearts of men and women, including the religious.

Mary will not be spared of the troubles.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The first reading is about purification of the priests and people re Temple worship.

The psalm is about The second reading tells how Jesus has

purified us from fear of death, by overcoming evil.

The gospel reading is more about the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, but in the process, his mission to purify people from evil is announced by Simeon and Anna

How to develop your homily / sharing

The preacher should develop the meaning of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple.

The liturgists or church historians can say more about how the Church has come to celebrate this feast.

In this Sunday reading guide, we can develop the sub-theme “purification.”

In the gospel, after the appropriate time has come, after giving birth, Mary submits herself to the ritual of purification as required by the Mosaic Law. Those giving birth were considered ritually unclean and impure in those days.

The ritual of purification is not described in the gospel.

The gospel story should encourage us to accept Jesus’ purpose in our lives: to unveil our true selves as children of the Father,

to remove our masks and defenses to excise the evil that is in our hearts (bad

motivations, evil intents) that make us impure to fight against anything that hinder us from loving

and establishing healthy relationships with God, our families, our nation and our world and planet.

The first reading, when read in its total context, we will feel that God is not pleased with sacrifices offered by priests and servers in the Temple because they are unworthy and lousy. They lack interior disposition.

That’s why, he is sending a messenger to purify or refine them with an intense fire like that one used for purifying gold.

God wants us to appear before him devoid of corruption and sin, but like a pure gold.

The second reading affirms the capacity of Jesus to purify us from sin and fear.

He is sympathetic with us. He also underwent sufferings. So he understands us. He wants to show his mercy to us, poor mortals, human as we are, prone to commit mistakes.

He passionately works hard for our liberation from the slavery of evil.

He wants us to be in heaven.

In our eucharistic celebrations, can we put more quality into our offerings?

Can we, the offerers, stop treating God as if he does not know what is in our hearts and minds – our selfish interests and sinfulness?

Without purified hearts and minds, liturgical celebrations can be instruments of manipulation and become shows of pomp and power, an expensive waste of quality time with God and with his Church.

We cannot make ourselves presentable to God.

The eucharist is the sacrament for those who are purified from their sins and made presentable to God.

The eucharist strengthens us to fight against backsliding.

The eucharist helps us appreciate Christ’s purpose for us.

Our Context of Sin and Grace

Unconverted servers in the Church

No sense of sin No remorse of conscience No confession Thinking of rituals as mere

motions, not participation in God’s life

Trivialization of the sacraments

Celebration of sacraments becoming mere social events, not spiritual events.

Examines his/her conscience Frequent reception of the

sacraments Has strong sense of the Holy,

reverent Seeks to be Christ-like Goes to spiritual director Respectful to sacred places

and times Does not distract, switches

off cp and electronic gadgets when attending rites

Suggested Songs

Purihin ang PanginoonAll the Earth by DeissIt’s Time to PrepareYou are So Good

Please go to the site below if you have trouble downloading the file or don’t receive one. It might be reposted there. You will find more materials there. Recently I have had trouble uploading.http://www.supuwatha.com/missalPress Reading Guide on Sundays