Feast
of the Presentation of the Lord
Daily
Readings:
Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
Reflection: In today’s Gospel
reading Mary and Joseph present the baby Jesus to God in the temple. In the temple, they encounter Simeon, who God
promised would see the Christ before he died.
And Simeon’s response is remarkable:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace… for my eyes have
seen your salvation.” Simeon’s response
upon finding Christ is an immediate joy, trust in God, and willingness to give
up his life to better things (heaven). In
our human nature and our attachment to the people and things of this world, we
can look at death with great fear.
Simeon’s response reminds us that only through death can we experience
the remarkable joy of heaven and an eternity with our Lord. When God calls us from this world we will be
blessed with the opportunity to join Him for eternity in heaven.
Big
Picture: Find joy in
finding our Lord
Discussion
Starters:
Younger saints: When people who know and love God die, where do they go? (Heaven.) Is heaven a scary place, or is it filled with joy because we spend our days with God? (Heaven is an amazing place that is filled with great joy that we can’t even understand right now. We will spend all of eternity sitting before God, which will make us happier than anything else ever could.)
Older saints: When Simeon found Christ in his life he was immediately filled with great joy. What is your response to Christ’s presence in your life? Reflect on your own fears regarding death and leaving this world one day in order to join Christ in heaven. What are you most fearful of for yourself or for your loved ones?
Younger saints: When people who know and love God die, where do they go? (Heaven.) Is heaven a scary place, or is it filled with joy because we spend our days with God? (Heaven is an amazing place that is filled with great joy that we can’t even understand right now. We will spend all of eternity sitting before God, which will make us happier than anything else ever could.)
Older saints: When Simeon found Christ in his life he was immediately filled with great joy. What is your response to Christ’s presence in your life? Reflect on your own fears regarding death and leaving this world one day in order to join Christ in heaven. What are you most fearful of for yourself or for your loved ones?
Fun
Fact: The word
“catechumen” refers to a person who is preparing for baptism. Baptism is our entrance into God’s Church.
Saint
of the day:
Name: St. Joan of Lestonnac
What they are remembered for: St. Joan was married at the age of 17 and had four children before her husband died suddenly. After her children were grown she entered the monastery, but was later asked to leave due to health issues. She returned to her hometown of Bordeaux, France and started the Congregation of the Religious of Notre Dame of Bordeaux.
Feast day: February 2
Patron saint of: abuse victims, people rejected by religious orders, widows
Name: St. Joan of Lestonnac
What they are remembered for: St. Joan was married at the age of 17 and had four children before her husband died suddenly. After her children were grown she entered the monastery, but was later asked to leave due to health issues. She returned to her hometown of Bordeaux, France and started the Congregation of the Religious of Notre Dame of Bordeaux.
Feast day: February 2
Patron saint of: abuse victims, people rejected by religious orders, widows
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