Sunday, February 2, 2014 The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary; also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, or in the English tradition as Candlemas In accordance with Jewish law and forty days after the birth of Jesus, The Blessed Virgin Mary went to the Temple of Jerusalem for her purification, the story of which is told in Luke 2:22-32. While there, the aged Simeon took Jesus into his arms, and uttered what we now call the Nunc Dimittis - Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace... The blessing of candles, which also occurs this day, recalls Simeons declaration regarding Jesus, who is the light to lighten the Gentiles, and... the glory of thy people Israel. We will bless the candles for use during the coming months at St. Lukes and parishioners are encouraged to bring candles from home to be blessed, We will also distribute hand candles and process through the church with them. The readings for Sunday are as follows: Malachi 3:1-4 (ESV) “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 refiners 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. Psalms 24. Domini est terra. THE earth is the LORDS, and all that therein is; * the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, * and stablished it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? * or who shall rise up in his holy place? 4 Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; * and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, * and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him; * even of them that seek thy face, O God of Jacob. 7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; * and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? * It is the LORD strong and mighty, even the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; * and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? * Even the LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Hebrews 2:14-18 (ESV) Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he 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. Luke 2:22-40 (ESV) And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they 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 turtledoves, 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 Lords 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 marveled 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, worshiping 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 favor of God was upon him.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 16:15:56 +0000
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