The 2nd of February, 2024, Friday is the celebration day for the Presentation of the Lord. The Bible scriptures for the holy mass readings for this day came from the 2024 Liturgical Calendar.
Reading 1: MAL 3:1-4
The first reading from the Book of Malachi.
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me! The Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple. Behold, the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, is coming!” says Yahweh of Armies.
“But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderers’ soap; and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to Yahweh offerings in righteousness.
Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to Yahweh as in the days of old and as in ancient years.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 24:7, 8, 9, 10
Response: Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates! Be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in.
R: Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.
Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.
R: Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates; yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in.
R: Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.
Who is this King of glory? Yahweh of Armies is the King of glory!
R: Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.
Reading 2: HEB 2:14-18
The second reading from The Letter to the Hebrews.
Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham.
Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
Gospel of the Day: LK 2:22-40 or LK 2:22-32
From the gospel verse according to Luke.
When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said, “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him.
Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.
Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.