February 2, 2024 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Today’s readings are focused on Jesus. The first reading is a warning from Malachi that someone is coming to save us, but we must turn to the Lord. Commentators say that there was apathy during the days of Malachi. In the second reading, Paul says that Christ came to expiate sin. He suffered and fought temptation so that He could free us from sin. Then in the gospel, Simeon says great things about the child Jesus and to his mother Mary. “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.” How beautiful are those words! This story is one of the decades of the Joyful mysteries of the Rosary and when I would pray the scriptural rosary, this story was revealed. Very powerful to pray about!