About the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Feast Day: February 2
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.
Reflection Questions
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”
Sponsored
Resources
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.
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.
Reflections for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
See background material, a homily starter, and an explanation of the readings.
On the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple, we present ourselves to God with purified spirits, so that our eyes might see the light of salvation and we might thus bring it to the entire world, as the Saints did.
Pope Francis