Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

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Collect

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Malachi 3:1-4

This passage describes two messengers: 1) the messenger who will prepare the way, and 2) the messenger of the covenant. We now know that John the Baptist was the first messenger, and that his calling in life would be to prepare the way for Jesus. Jesus was the messenger of the covenant who would enter the temple to not only fulfill the old covenant but also to institute a new covenant. In the coming of Jesus we have been given the fullness of the image of God. We will know just as a silversmith looks into the furnace, and knows that the process of purifying is complete, and the impurities all burnt away, when he can see his image plainly reflected in the molten metal. In the presentation of Jesus, the fullness of God has been revealed to the world.

  1. Who was the messenger that prepared the way? What steps have you taken to prepare the way for those around you to encounter God?

  2. Who was the messenger of the covenant? How has God fulfilled His promises to you? How is God creating new opportunities for you today?

  3. Where do we see the fullness of the image of God?

  4. How is God reflected through your thoughts, words and deeds?

  5. What impurities are there in our life that we need to get rid of?

Hebrews 2:14-18

God’s children share flesh and blood with one another and with Jesus. Through death Jesus has destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and he has freed those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that Jesus did not come to help angels, but regular human beings like you and I. Therefore, Jesus 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 our sins. Because Jesus himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

  1. What does it mean to you to “share flesh and blood” with Jesus?

  2. Reflecting on this passage, what good came out of Jesus’ death? How does this reality give us hope in our suffering?

  3. What gives us confidence that Jesus can help us when we are being tested by the storms of life?

Luke 2:22-40

In this passage, Jesus is presented in the temple (see Leviticus 12:2-3). In presenting Jesus, Joseph and Mary show that there were truly devout and obedient parents. The fact that Joseph and Mary offered two pigeons instead of a lamb suggests the depth of their poverty. Though they struggled financially, Joseph and Mary were intent on having Jesus identify with sinners (see Psalm 51:5) even though he himself was not a sinner (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus reinforces his identification with sinners in his baptism and death on the cross (see Romans 6:3-11). There are two elderly individuals in particular that represent the sinful human race and the hope that we all have in Jesus. The first person was a man named Simeon, and the second person was a prophet named Anna. Both Simeon and Anna were devout worshippers who longed for the consolation of Israel and looked for the redemption of Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had revealed to both of them that Jesus was the Lord's Messiah. In their joy, they received Jesus, gave praise to God, and blessed the family. Jesus grew and became strong (physical health), filled with wisdom (mental health); and the favor of God was upon him (emotional health).

  1. Have you ever presented yourself before a priest or a faith community to confess your sins?

  2. How did Joseph and Mary respond in the face of their financial struggles?

  3. Is it possible to identify with a sinner without necessarily partaking in that sin?

  4. In what ways have you gone out of your way to identify with those who are different from you?

  5. Which character do you resonate with the most - Simeon or Anna? Explain why.

  6. Simeon and Anna were both devout worshippers. Give details of what your weekly spiritual discipline entails - (do not include Sunday worship).

  7. What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you about Jesus?

  8. When was the last time that you literally gave a blessing to someone? What did giving your blessing look like (i.e. a hand gesture, a prayer, a greeting card)?

  9. What three things should we desire for any young child?

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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