The Presentation of the Lord  - Year C

Gospel for the day - The Presentation of the Lord

Luke 2:22-40 ‘The child grew, filled with wisdom.’

When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said 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, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the Temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,


‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.’


And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed — and a sword will pierce through your own soul also — so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’


And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the Temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.


And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favour of God was upon him.


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.

Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week. Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts.
If you are interested  in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word from any of the resources you have watched please email us.         cluster.alpha@outlook.com



Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Both Simeon and Anna were prophets of hope – not the “airy-fairy” type of hope that sits back with fingers crossed. Their hope was the type that is well aware of the challenges ahead but shows the determination and the resilience of those who wait in hope for their Lord to come among them.


  1. Christian hope is often represented as an anchor – something that keeps us stable and grounded amidst the storms of life. What are the “storms” in your life at present and how will you face them? (Share in your group)
  2. Adults: What does it mean to be a light that shows others, whether Christian or not, God’s love?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession


We pray for faith leaders, that, inspired by the Holy Spirit with wisdom and knowledge, they will encourage everyone to follow the example of Simeon and Anna, and trust in God’s promises and wait with patience for their fulfilment.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


For our world ravaged by warfare and exploitation, that those in authority will recognise the sanctity of each human life, and that all are made in God’s image, and so work together to bring about world peace and care of the earth.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


For everyone who lives in the land we call “Holy”, that decades of injustice will be recognised as such. May the present ceasefire be the first step, to lead to a willingness on both sides for reconciliation, healing and the restoration of communities.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


For a world summit on Children’s Rights at the Vatican tomorrow, when experts will discuss new methods of helping and protecting millions of children who still have no rights, are exploited and abused, and are suffering the dramatic consequences of war.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


For our local churches, that our prayers and actions will help us to stand together with those who are suffering, and that the light of Christ will banish darkness and love will prevail.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


For ourselves, that we will have the eyes of faith to see Christ’s presence in the world and may spread the warmth of His love to everyone we meet.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


For all in our community who are unwell in body, mind or spirit and everyone on the Prayer Foundation List. May they be comforted by God’s promise to always be with them.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


For those who have died and all whose life is saddened by the death of a loved one. In particular we remember Leonardo Rodriguez, Andrew Muldoon, Peter O’Connor, Elizabeth Reynolds, Josie Marino Perry & George Lynch. May all who have gone before us rest in God’s eternal peace.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer



We will now say together the prayer to be missionary disciples.


Cluster prayer

Lord continue to bless our community in this time of transition.

Help us on our journey to grow from a maintenance church to a missionary church.
Give us the courage to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship; narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and prejudice.

Kindle in us the fire of your love that all who come here will find joy, peace and love.

Make this a house of prayer and a gateway to your kingdom.

AMEN

Preparing for next week -  5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 5:1-11 ‘They left everything and followed him.’


At that time: The crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear the word of God. He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.’ And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’ And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


This incident highlights that humans’ best efforts – by themselves – will not succeed. Four experienced fishermen had put in a long nightshift and caught nothing. The scale of the catch only served to emphasise the message of their self-inadequacy. Without the strong sense of our need for Jesus we simply won’t make any progress in both our relationship with the Lord and our faith journey through life.



  1. When have you felt inadequate to a task or role you were given?
    How did you respond?    *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center