Breakfast with the Word Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Malachi 3:1-4, Hebrews 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40 OR Luke 2:22-32
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the presentation of the Lord. The feast of the presentation of the Lord comes forty days after the celebration of Christmas. And today marks it 40 days after we celebrated the birth of the Lord.
According to the Jewish custom, two ceremonies follow the birth of a newborn child. These two ceremonies are; the purification rite for the mother (Leviticus 12), and the consecration of the firstborn male child. This is done as God demands in Exodus 13:1-2.
Normally when a male child is born, the law prescribes that the parents sacrifice a lamb in thanksgiving to God. But if they cannot afford such sacrifice, they can offer a pair of turtledoves as alternatives.
So forty days after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem to fulfil these laws. It is in this event that Simeon and Anna encountered Jesus. They gave thanks to God for allowing them to behold the newborn child.
Everything about the feast of the Presentation of the Lord teaches what we have to do if we truly want to have a perfect relationship with the Lord. They are:
Total Dedication to God.
The Holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is highly dedicated to God. After the time, for the purification was completed, this family did not waste time to fulfill their obligations to God.
We can see the hunger and eagerness to come to God’s presence in them despite the long distance from Jerusalem to Nazareth.
In our own, we will shout we love God, but when it comes to the things of God, we slack and get behind.
The feast of the Presentation of the Lord shows us the need to have the hunger for God’s presence if truly we are in love with the Lord. The things of God should give us a huge thirst. We do not need to lag behind in that.
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Obedience is the Key.
What the family of Joseph and Mary is doing today is to obey what the law prescribes. They do not want to count themselves out.
Once it is something concerning God, this family is ready to go to any extent, not minding what is involved. Through the feast of the presentation of the Lord, the Holy family is advising all who take God as a Father, that if truly He is your Father, then learn to obey Him at all cost, no matter what it may take.
We also need to follow the teachings and directives of the church. You do not choose what to obey and what not to obey. But today, many of us are abandoning the teachings of the Church to follow the teachings of one social media influencer. This then affected their faith. Many of us do not care about the teachings of God and the Church, and they tend to do what they like. To have a true relationship with God,we must also be ready to obey the Church.
To Persevere and be patient.
These two virtues are the two most powerful virtues we must have if we truly want a perfect relationship with the Lord.
These virtues are exemplified in the lives of the two great servants of God we meet at the temple today; Simeon and Anna. God promises Simeon that He would never see death until He beholds the Messiah, and this man continues to wait without losing hope.
Despite the years it took, He did not doubt what God said, he was there waiting. The point here is that Simeon knows that the promise to see the Messiah comes from God. Then if it comes from God, He knows that God will not disappoint.
The Second person Anna only lived with her husband for seven years, and after that, she did not miss worshiping God day and night, in fasting and prayer.
Remember that Anna only lived with her husband for seven years. This only would have made her complain and blame God for such a misfortune.
No one would pray for such to happen to him or her. But despite these, She persevered and never lost faith in God. If we are in the position of this woman, we would blame God and even lose faith.
Therefore, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord teaches us that even if we lose everything in life, do not lose your relationship with God.
The efforts of these servants of God were rewarded. Therefore, God does not forsake His own. God does not forsake those little sacrifices and efforts that we make everyday. Every sacrifice and effort that we make, simply counts.Therefore, when you are making sincere effort in your worship of God, do not grudge over it. The rewards come in the due time.
At the end of our lives, our relationship with God is what will lead us through.
So, we need God. Let us remain close to Him.
May God bless you, dearest, help us, to remain faithful to Him and dedicate ourselves totally to Him. Amen.
Amen
Lord help me to present myself to you all the days of my life
Amen
I pray to remain faithful to him and dedicate myself totally to him. Amen
Thank you fr.
Amen.
Thank you Father for this wonderful and encouragement messages. Presentation of Lord JESUS CHRIST. I Pray for Grace to remain Firm and not to Lose my relationship with God.Also to follow the teachings and Directives of the Church… Stay Lifted..
Amen
Father, help us to dedicate ourselves totally to you, fully trusting and persevere till the end, Amen
Holy Mary, handmaid of God, pray for us
Amen. Thank you Father.
Amen Thanks father
Amen, thank you fr.and remain bless.
Amen. Happy feast of Presentation.
Amen.
Lord give me the grace to remain close to you at all times. Amen
Amen.
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
For the grace of more dedication I pray O Lord 🙏
May the good Lord help us to persevere in doing good, in service to humanity and work of the father. Amen.
Amen
Amen 🙏🙏🙏
May the feast of the presentation of the Lord we celebrated today bring us more closer to God as we journey with our mother of impossible request for these 21 days in the mighty name of Jesus Christ amen
Our God will never forsake His people.Amen
Amen. Thank You Jesus
Amen Fr
Amen🙏🙏🙏🙏
Amen…. May the Lord give me the grace to be dedicated to Him at all cost …. Amen
Help us oh Lord to remain faithful to you and Love you undoubtedly no matter the circumstances through Christ our Lord Amen
Amen
Thank you Father Sanctus
May God give me grace to always be patient and preserverance even in the Time of difficulty 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Amen
Lord, make me to remain in faith at all times, amen
Amen
Amen 🙏
Amen and Amen. God help me not to lose faith and hope in You.
Amen.
Amen
Amen. God help me to persevere and be patient in life. I need your Grace lord Jesus…
Amen thanks Padre
Amen
Thank you Padre
Amen father
Amen
Amen father
Amen.
Amen
Oh Lord, may I not depart from you. Amen
Amen.thank you father
Amen
Amen
Lord, may I remain totally dedicated to You to enable me enjoy a perfect relationship with You. May I I remain obedient to the teachings of Your Holy Church; to be patient when faced with life challenges and to remain Faithful to You. So help me God!
Amen 🙏 🙏 🙏
Thank you Jesus for the gift of ur word today. Lord Jesus draw me closer to urself no how matter the situation, I am all yours. Amen. Thanks Padre, more grace for you. Amen
Amennnnnnn
Amen and amen
Amen! & Amen! Thanks & God bless you too Fr for the msg.
This particular passage has taught me to be be patient, and to persevere in any situation or condition I found myself, because no condition is permanent as God is working out things for my good
AMEN
Amen. Thank you Jesus for your word this morning. I pray thee to give me the grace to focus more in obeying your command through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.