Presentation of the Lord, Sunday February 2, 2025
Reflection on the WORD
“Jesus’ Obedience” – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, obeyed the Mosaic Laws and consecrated Jesus, in the Temple, to the Lord. And, Jesus grew up in maturity in Nazareth. Ponder on, “Our cultural roots, the practices of our faith, and our family upbringing all shape the way we grow to maturity. Jesus was fully human and fully divine.”
Luke 2:22-24, 39-40
When the day came for them to be purified in keeping with the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord - observing what is written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord - and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is prescribed in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And as the child grew to maturity, he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with him.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Mary and Joseph observed the Law of Moses faithfully and presented baby Jesus to be consecrated to the Lord.
- God also expects each of us to follow and fulfil the obligations of the Church e.g. the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, Reconciliation and the like. Have we been able to observe them faithfully?
- The parents of Jesus not only gave Him life through the conception of the Holy Spirit, but also nurtured Him to maturity through a wholesome upbringing. Pray for the grace to be good parents who can hand-down the gift of faith to our children.