This week the Gospel for the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple is presented by
Msgr. Philip Whitmore, Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome. Listen:
Gospel LK
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.”