Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Intention: For all those who serve as leaders in our Lasallian mission, that they may be inspired by the Holy Spirit to great faith and vision.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 2:22-32
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.
From the Ninth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Act in such a way through your zeal that you give tangible proof that you love those whom God has entrusted to you, just as Jesus Christ has loved his Church. Help them enter truly into the structure of this building and be in a condition to appear one day before Jesus Christ full of glory: without stain, without wrinkle, without blemish. This will make known to future ages the abundant riches of the grace that God has given them by procuring for them the help of instruction and that God has given you to instruct and educate them, so that they may one day become heirs of the kingdom of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer
Gracious God, all that is good and right is a gift from you. There are marvelous things that happen in our lives, some that we cannot even comprehend. Help us to be thankful that you care so much about us. Today, let us be especially thankful for your gift of salvation, for second chances to do the right things, to be at our best, and to live and celebrate your truth. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.