HE IS LIKE A REFINERS FIRE…

FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS 

Malachi 3:1-4 
1 “Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? “For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap;3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to the LORD.4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

Hebrews 2:14-18 

14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil,15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.16 For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham.17 Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people.18 For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Luke 2:22-40 

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,29 “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.”33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him;34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanu-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,
37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

MEDITATION

MALACHI let it be known that a messenger of the covenant that the people hold most dear, will come without notice to purify the Levitical priestly ministers so that the offerings they will make for the people, may be pleasing to God. This prophecy not only foretell the institution of the  Covenant Holy Eucharist, it also inform us that this sacrificial act shall have the power to wash away man’s sins and purify the soul.

THE HEBREW WRITER makes the point that whenever we share in the flesh and blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, Satan is destroyed, our sins expiated because we have taken on the nature of Christ who conquered death. Notice the author do not say bread and wine,meaning the nature and form of the substances have been transformed!!!—Having taken on the nature of us mere mortals, Christ consider us to be more important than the angels, when He granted us the gift of grace that emminate from the Sacrifice of the Mass.

THE GOSPEL READING: The moment when Simeon the temple priest caught sight of the Holy Family and in particular the child Jesus, he was at peace and ready to die, because his encounter with Christ was a fulfillment of what God had already revealed to him. Anna a widow and prophetes who kept her virginal state during and post the death of her husband, is similarly delighted that her prayers to have an encounter with Christ has been fulfilled! With this said she set about to give thanks to God.

The Hebrew custom required that when they wake up from sleep, they “thank before they think,” a response to Yahwehs benevolence, placing Him ahead and or above any temporal needs we may have. Each time we wake up from our slumber we should not wonder what the day will bring nor fret about anything else, but instead we must first give thanks to God for the gift of life. Moreover, when the priest elevate the body and blood of Christ in the Sacrifice of the Mass, we should not rest our head on the backrest of the bench nor look down, but look up; adore and give thanks to the risen Christ for the gift of life–indulging Him to refine and purify us with His fire! During the precession we continously give thanks for the graces and Gods, revelation and mercy. Back in the pew on bended knees, we pray for loved ones, the day and things to accomplish!

LET US PRAY:Psalms 24:7-10 

7 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!9 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! [Selah]

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.