One Minute Reflection – 2 February – The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the Presentation of the Lord, Readings: Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm 24:7-10, Hebrew 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace …” Luke 2:29
REFLECTION – “A woman touched the tassel on Jesus’ cloak and she was cured.” (cf. Mt 9:20). If this woman gained so many benefits from touching the border of His cloak, what are we to think of Simeon who “took the child in his arms” and, holding him, gave himself up to rejoicing as he perceived, that he was carrying the Child who had come to “proclaim liberty to captives” (Lk 4:18) and that he himself, was about to be set free from the constraints of the body?
He recognised, that no one could release someone from the prison-house of the body, in hope of the life to come, except He whom he held in his arms. And it was to Him that he spoke, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace. For so long as I was not holding Christ, so long as I was not cradling Him in my arms, I was held fast and unable to escape from my bonds.”
Moreover, not Simeon alone but the whole human race, is to be understood by these words.
If anyone leaves this world, if anyone is set free from prison and the place of captivity, to gain the royal throne, he should take Jesus in his hands and wrap his arms around Him; he should draw Him wholly to his heart.
Then, leaping for joy, he will be able to go wherever He wills.” – Origen (c 185-253) Priest and Theologian, Father of the Church – Homilies on Saint Luke’s Gospel, no 15
PRAYER –
O Light of All the Earth!
Prayer, Morning Hymn
for the Feast of the Presentation
Liturgy of the Hours
Hail to the Lord who comes,
comes to His temple gate,
not with His angel host,
not in His kingly state.
But borne upon the throne
of Mary’s gentle breast,
thus to His Father’s house
He comes, the heavenly guest.
There Joseph at her side,
in reverent wonder stands
and, filled with holy joy,
old Simeon in his hands,
takes up the promised Child,
the glory of all lands.
The world’s true light draws near,
All darkness to dispel,
the flame of faith is lit
and dies the power of hell.
Our bodies and our souls,
are temples now for Him,
for we are are born of grace –
God lights our souls within.
O Light of all the earth!
We light our lives with Thee,
the chains of darkness gone,
all sons of God are free.
