December 29, 2014

Reading

The First Letter of Sanint John    2: 3-11

2:3	And we can be sure that we have known him by this: if we observe his commandments.
2:4	Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
2:5	But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him.
2:6	Whoever declares himself to remain in him, ought to walk just as he himself walked.
2:7	Most beloved, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but the old commandment, which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the Word, which you have heard.
2:8	Then too, I am writing to you a new commandment, which is the Truth in him and in you. For the darkness has passed away, and the true Light is now shining.
2:9	Whoever declares himself to be in the light, and yet hates his brother, is in the darkness even now.
2:10	Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause of offense in him.
2:11	But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness, and in darkness he walks, and he does not know where he is going. For the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Luke    2: 22-35

2:22	And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord,
2:23	just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,”
2:24	and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
2:25	And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.
2:26	And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
2:27	And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,
2:28	he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
2:29	“Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.
2:30	For my eyes have seen your salvation,
2:31	which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:
2:32	the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
2:33	And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.
2:34	And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.
2:35	And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”