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Daily Reflection

Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 24 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 On this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Church celebrates the day Jesus is taken to the Temple by Joseph and Mary to be consecrated to the Lord, for the Mosaic prescribed male sons shall be consecrated to the Lord with a sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Note the very first verse of our gospel: “When the days were complete for their purification…” with particular attention the use of the word “their”. According to Mosaic law, when a woman gave birth, she was to seek purification. There is no known reference to purification being required of the husband. And yet, the Holy Spirit, via the gospel writer Luke, makes that declaration. There is great significance in the purification of Mary and Joseph because there in their arms was the Lamb of God who would purify all of us by His Paschal Mystery. Because Jesus was Mary’s first born son, He was to be consecrated to the Lord. Referencing Mosaic Law again, the first born was to be consecrated by the slaying of a lamb, Mary and Joseph though, offered a pair of birds. The lamb to be sacrificed would be sacrificed 33 years later, Jesus on the cross. On that beautiful day of the presentation of Jesus, Mary held Him in her arms and handed Him over to the temple priest to hold. Years later, Mary would take her Son back after He dies on the cross. This had to have been an incredibly happy and proud day for Mary and Joseph…until Simeon spoke his words of prophesy “…this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Isreal…and you yourself a sword will pierce…” Phanuel though, reassures Mary and Joseph that any suffering they undertake, or any suffering Jesus undertakes, will be of great value – it leads to the redemption of Jerusalem…when we read reference to Jerusalem in the Bible we should understand that as meaning the Church…our Church. Mary and Jospeh undertake a life of obedience in answering the call of the Father. They did not understand all that Jesus was going to do when He was born. They just trusted. That is all the Father asked of them, and it is all that Jesus asks of us. Today, consider where in your life you need to trust more beautifully. God has some incredible stuff in store for you! TRUST! Go smile at God today!

February 2

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February 3

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February 4

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1 Kings 2:1-12 1 Chronicles 29:10-12 Mark 6:7-13 Ready to go? Got your keys, wallet, and cell phone? Yeah, you won’t be needing those. Pretty much the direction Jesus was giving the disciples as He was sending them off to evangelize. This gospel passage is many times associated with the teaching of baptism. Why? Because each of us when we are baptized, have a circle of oil put on our head signifying that we are being baptized priest, prophet and king. Priest because we are called to share the holiness and harmony of God with others, prophet as we speak the word of God, and king as we lead others to God. As we do that, we will certainly come across those who do not want to hear it or want anything to do with it. That is sad, terribly sad, but it is also the reality. There are a lot of people who get insults thrown at them for their beliefs – I know I have – but we keep going just as Jesus has told us. We shake the insults off and keep moving forward in the joy that we have by living the life Jesus calls us to live. And did you notice what Jesus told them to teach? Repentance. Forgiveness is at the foundation of our relationship with God and with each other. We see ourselves and others differently when we can forgive and when we are forgiven. So this week, put it on the calendar, grab you keys and your wallet and your cellphone, and GET TO RECONCILLIATION. Also today is the feast of St Agatha who died in 251 AD. St Agatha was sought by a high level diplomat, Quintianus, but she wanted to remain devoted completely to God and not a husband. He had her horrendously tortured, she recovered each time. Through the torture she remained faithful. Pray for her intercession when you are going through the trials of life! Go smile at God today!

February 5

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February 6

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February 7

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