Sunday readings and prayers

A Reading from Malachi 3:1-5

Thus says the Lord God: See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight – indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.  

When Jesus was born, it was customary for the mother of a male child to present herself at the temple for ritual purification forty days after the baby’s birth. This Mary did, bringing with her the offering of two small birds, one as a burnt offering and one as an atonement for sin. (Had she been from a wealthier family, she would have brought a lamb.) The text from Malachi points forward to the day when Jesus will bring a new set of values, when people will offer their righteous living to the Lord rather than their burnt offerings. He looks forward to the day when the King of Glory will be revealed.

Malachi: Duccio

Psalm 24:7-10

Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors;
 and the King of glory shall come in.

 "Who is this King of glory?"

"The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle."

 Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors; and  the  King of glory shall come in.

"Who is he, this King of glory?"

"The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.”

A Reading from Hebrews 2:14-18

Since the children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Jesus came to live among us, knowing that we were “descendants of Abraham” with all our faults and foibles. He was not expecting us to be angels! He came to share the life lived by people like you and me so that today he can continue to stand alongside us in both the joys and sorrows of everyday existence and bring alive to us the love of God. He came as a priest who would offer himself up and make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of all humanity.

Gospel Reading: St. Luke Chapter 2:22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’                                 

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.  

The Presentation of Christ: Ambrogio Loronzetti                                                               

Here we find the familiar words of the “Nunc Dimittis” spoken by Simeon who had been waiting many years for the day when he would see the Messiah. Now that time has come and he knows that he can die in peace. He and Anna represent the world of the Old Covenant, before Christ. They now take comfort from the coming of “the light to lighten the Gentiles”, a light that would reach out to all peoples, regardless of race and culture.  But Simeon could also see that Jesus would know conflict and suffering. That would be part of the salvation of the world and would be the offering that God made and makes to his people.

We give thanks for the lengthening days that bring the hope of spring and new growth.

We give thanks for the many people in our lives who care for our wellbeing.

We give thanks for the light of Christ, pointing us forward when the dark overwhelms.

• Thinking of Simeon and Anna, we pray for all in their later years that they may be treated with love and respect. We pray for carers and medical staff ensuring their quality of life in difficult times.
• Thinking of Mary, we pray for all new parents adjusting to a new way of life and new responsibilities.
• We pray for the Church of which we are part that we may truly radiate the light of Christ in our everyday encounters.
• We pray for the leaders of the world at this politically sensitive time that they may speak and act with integrity and a true desire to work for the common good.
• We continue to pray for the peoples of Ukraine and Gaza and all living in war torn countries.
• We pray for those known to us who are in poor health, thinking of .......................................
• We pray for the repose of the souls of those who have recently departed this life……..  We ask you, loving Father, to be with the bereaved that they may be comforted by your constant presence.

Heavenly Father, you fulfilled your promises to Simeon and Anna, and revealed to them the Light of the World. Help us to trust in your promises and to open ourselves to your never failing light as we offer ourselves to your service. Amen