Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

The readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (see below) speak of purification and offering. The first reading tells of purification and sacrifice. In the gospel,Mary (who is pure) goes through the prescribed time of purification and that Jesus (who is holy) is taken to the temple to be consecrated. This was done in obedience to the law and as an example.

This feast is celebrated annually on February 2. Some questions to consider for this day:

What am I willing to present to God as an offering?
What parts of my life do I need to purify? Where am I in need of more holiness?
Can I offer some aspect of my own life as the gifts are brought up during the offertory?

Daily Mass Readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

First Reading – Malachi 3:1-4: “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.”
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 24: “Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!”
Second Reading – Hebrews 2:14-18: “Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”
Gospel – Luke 2:22-40: “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”

Learn about intentional discipleship

Presentation of the Lord Crossword Puzzle

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord commemorates when Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to be consecrated. There they met Simeon and Anna who blessed the child and prophesied about him. Use this crossword puzzle to reinforce the main characters and ideas in the gospel for this day. The printable crossword can be used with youth ministry or children’s Liturgy of the Word or a Sunday School lesson.

Stephen Colbert Sings and Dances “The King of Glory”

This is just a fun video of Stephen Colbert singing the traditional hymn “The King of Glory” and doing a very awkward liturgical dance. Great for humorous introduction to the Feast of Christ the King or for a discussion of liturgy.

They Took Jesus to Present Him to the Lord (Video)

This video from Holy Heroes tells of how Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple and they met Simeon the prophet, which is the gospel for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. A coloring sheet and Mass quiz are also available for each week. Use these to prepare for Sunday Mass at home or for Children’s Liturgy of the Word.

Seeing Salvation – Reflection and Discussion Questions

The purpose of this reflection is to help youth understand the importance of recognizing God. They will consider what signs indicate that God is near.