Feast of the Presentation of our Lord
Since the children share in blood and flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested. Heb 2:14-18
Jesus conquered sin and death, the Devil, so that we may no longer be a slave to sin. Since Jesus was tested through His suffering he helped us who are tested each day. Through His death and resurrection, we have hope. In our Baptism, we are freed of sin. We have a mind, will, and memory our spiritual powers to defeat the Devil each day in our lives as Baptized followers of Christ, His disciples. We are living in the end times and also have the power to conquer sin through the grace of God given to us by His death on the Cross. When we do not fight, we lessen the power of the Cross. Never give up and live the sacraments faithfully, all the grace we need is in the sacraments. Empower yourself against Satan with daily Eucharist and Reconciliation. Visit Jesus in adoration, He thirsts for your soul. Give Him your heart’s greatest desire, love Him back. Then, go share the joy of your life with others.
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.” Canticle of Simeon repeated in Night Prayer of Divine Office
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
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
—and you yourself a sword will pierce–
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
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,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
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.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him. Lk 2:22-40
We are filled with the same Holy Spirit as Simeon and Anna. ”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.” Anna never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. Lent is fast approaching (next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday), we have the great opportunity that the Catholic Church has prepared for us to spend more time in the Church, worshiping, fasting, and praying. Jesus teaches us how to fight the Devil by increasing our faith with the Scriptures, fasting, praying, and replacing our pride with humility in the desert. Our greatest model of this is Mary. Strive to devote yourself even greater to Mary. We look to these great models who were with Jesus during His life to guide us. We too have Jesus with us in the Word, living and effective, which will never pass away. In the Eucharist, an everlasting covenant of sacrifice, until He returns. Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament, a time to get away from the world and be with God face to face and just talk to Him. “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name I am there with you.” In prayer anywhere with anyone, Jesus is with us. In these places, with Jesus, time and eternity meet and they are the most powerful and useful times of our lives. Bring yourself to Jesus as He daily prepares a host for you, yearns to see your face in Adoration, and speaks to you directly through the Scriptures and in those He put around you. Take time to listen. Jesus is always trying to tell you something.
Today’s challenge: Start praying and asking Jesus what is the best way to draw closer to Him in the 40 days of Lent through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Total Consecration: Day 25
Become a Saint!
Christian YOLO
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