The Presentation of our Lord
THE COLLECT
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly beseech thee that, as thy only-begotten
Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented unto thee with
pure and clean hearts by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and
reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT: Malachi 3:1-4
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.
Reader: The Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God
PSALM Psalm 84
1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! *
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my
flesh rejoice in the living God.
2 The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her
young; *
by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
3 Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
they will always be praising you.
4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.
5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
6 They will climb from height to height, *
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
7 LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
8 Behold our defender, O God; *
and look upon the face of your Anointed.
9 For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, *
and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents
of the wicked.
10 For the LORD God is both sun and shield; *
he will give grace and glory;
11 No good thing will the LORD withhold *
from those who walk with integrity.
12 O LORD of hosts, *
happy are they who put their trust in you!
EPISTLE Hebrews 2:14-18
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he 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.
Reader: The Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God
THE GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ according to:
Luke 2:22-40
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they
brought him 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
turtledoves 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 worshiped
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 favor of God was upon him.
Reader: The Gospel of the Lord People: Praise to you, Lord Christ