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.
***
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.
=================
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.
