Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Malachi 3.1-4

Thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I send my messenger,
and he will prepare the way before me;
and the Lord, whom you seek,
will suddenly come to his temple;
and the messenger of the covenant,
whom you desire,
behold, he comes!”
says the Lord of Hosts.
“But who can endure the day of his coming?
And who will stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire,
and like the fuller’s lye;
and 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;
and they shall offer to the Lord
righteous sacrifices.
Then the sacrifices of Judah and Jerusalem
will be pleasant to the Lord,
as in the days of old, and as in ancient years.

Responsorial – Psalm 24.7, 8, 9, 10 Resp. 8

R. Who is the King of glory? It is the Lord!

Lift up your heads, you gates!
Be lifted up, you everlasting doors,
and the King of glory will come in.

R. Who is the King of glory? It is the Lord!

Who is the King of glory?
the Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle.

R. Who is the King of glory? It is the Lord!

Lift up your heads, you gates;
yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors,
and the King of glory will come in.

R. Who is the King of glory? It is the Lord!

Who is this King of glory?
the Lord of Hosts is the King of glory!

R. Who is the King of glory? It is the Lord!

Reading 2 – Hebrews 2.14-18

Since the children have shared in flesh and blood,
Jesus himself in the same way partook of the same,
that through death he might bring to nothing
him who had the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and might deliver all of those
who through fear of death
were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

For most certainly, he does not give help to angels,
but he does give help to the seed of Abraham.
Therefore he was obligated in all things
to be made like his brothers and sisters,
that he might become a merciful and faithful
high priest before God,
to make atonement for the sins of the people.
Since he himself was tested by suffering,
he is able to help those who are tested.

Gospel – Luke 2.22-40

When the days were fulfilled of
their purification according to the law of Moses
Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem,
to present him to the Lord
as it is written in the law of the Lord:
“Every male who opens the womb
shall be called holy to the Lord”,
and to offer a sacrifice
according to that which is said
in the law of the Lord:
“A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
looking for the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was on him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
He came in the Spirit into the temple.

When the parents brought in the child, Jesus,
to do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
he took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
“Now you may release your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things
which were spoken concerning him,
and Simeon blessed them,
and said to Mary, his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign which will be contradicted.
(Indeed, a sword will pierce through your own soul)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel,
of the tribe of Asher.
She was of a great age,
having lived with a husband
seven years from her virginity,
and as a widow for about eighty-four years.
She did not depart from the temple,
worshiping with fasting and petitions night and day.
Coming up at the same hour,
she gave thanks to the Lord,
and spoke of him to all those
who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
When they had accomplished all things
that were according to the law of the Lord,
they returned into Galilee,
to their own city, Nazareth.
The child grew,
and became strong in spirit,
being filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was upon him.