February 2, 2015

Reading

Malachi 3: 1- 4

3:1 Behold, I send my angel, and he will prepare the way before my face. And presently the Sovereign, whom you seek, and the angel of testimony, whom you desire, will arrive at his temple. Behold, he approaches, says the Lord of hosts.

3:2 And who will be able to consider the day of his advent, and who will stand firm in order to see him? For he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller’s herb.

3:3 And he will sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he will purge the sons of Levi, and he will gather them like gold and like silver, and they will offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice.

3:4 And the sacrifice of Judah and of Jerusalem will please the Lord, just as in the days of past generations, and as in the ancient years

Second Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews    2: 14-18

2:14	Therefore, because children have a common flesh and blood, he himself also, in like manner, has shared in the same, so that through death, he might destroy him who held the dominion of death, that is, the devil,
2:15	and so that he might free those who, through the fear of death, had been condemned to servitude throughout their entire life.
2:16	For at no time did he take hold of the Angels, but instead he took hold of the offspring of Abraham.
2:17	Therefore, it is fitting for him to be made similar to his brothers in all things, so that he might become a merciful and faithful High Priest before God, in order that he might bring forgiveness to the offenses of the people.
2:18	For in as much as he himself has suffered and has been tempted, he also is able to assist those who are tempted.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Luke   2: 22-40

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.”
2:36	And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity.
2:37	And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day.
2:38	And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.
2:39	And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.
2:40	Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him.