Presentation of Christ in the Temple Candlemas 3rd February 2008
Above is one of Aishan Yu’s new Stations of the Cross; exhibition opens this Friday at 7.30pm
Collect
Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
First reading - Malachi 3.1-5
Thus says the Lord God:
1) 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.
2) 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;
3) 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.
4) Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.
5) Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.
Psalm Refrain:
The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory
Second Reading - Hebrews 2.14-18
14) Since the children share flesh and blood, Jesus 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,
15) and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.
16) For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham.
17) 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.
18) Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
The Gospel
Gospel - Luke 2.22-40
22) When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
23) (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’),
24) and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
25) 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.
26) 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,
28) Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29) ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
30) for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31) which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32) a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’
33) And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
34) 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
35) so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
36) 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,
37) then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day.
38) 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.
39) When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
40) The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
Post-communion
Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
