Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

The Month of February Dedicated to the Holy Family

Catholic Schools Week

27th World Day for Consecrated Life

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:44-48 Humility

Mass: Malachi 3:1-4; Resp Ps 24; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40     

Who is the king of glory?

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

 MOTHER, MOST CHASTE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HOLY FAMILY, POOR IN MATERIAL GOODS, RICH IN DIVINE BLESSINGS,

PRAY FOR US.

And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek.

(Malachi 3:1)

Welcome to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the 27th World Day for Consecrated Life. Again, another busy day. May all men and women with a vocation to Consecrated Life remember that their vocation, "deeply rooted in the example and teaching of Christ the Lord, is a gift of God the Father to His Church through the Holy Spirit" (Pope Saint John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, 1). Please pray for all of us to be faithful witnesses to the Lord; may we reflect the radiance of the true light. And as Pope Francis told the priests, deacons, consecrated persons, and seminarians in Kinshasa's Cathedral of Our Lady of the Congo, we are "to act as signs of Christ's presence, of His unconditional love, His reconciliation and forgiveness, and His compassionate concern for the needs of the poor." May the favor of God be upon us. Thank you, faithful readers, for your prayers.

In honor of the divine mystery that we celebrate today, let us all hasten to meet Christ. Everyone should be eager to join the procession and to carry a light ...

The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought Him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet Him.

(From a sermon by Saint Sophronius, bishop, in Office of Readings, February 2)

And now more from Pope Saint John Paul II during this week of Catholic Schools:

The life of a teacher, as I know from personal experience, is very challenging and demanding, but it is also profoundly satisfying.

(Address of John Paul II to the Council, Staff and Students of the Institute of Catholic Education, Melbourne, Australia, November 28, 1986)

With these words in mind, may all teachers, especially those who are teaching the faith, approach their sacred vocation in this way:

All who undertake to teach must be endowed with deep love, the greatest patience, and, most of all, profound humility. They must perform their work with earnest zeal. Then through their humble prayers, the Lord will find them worthy to become fellow workers with Him in the cause of truth.

(Saint Joseph of Calasanza)

Today's photo: On my third trip by this tree yesterday, I went looking for something to go with today's Responsorial Psalm. This is not on the beaten path, so I approached it and looked up. Quite simply, it is awesome. I pass by this beauty at least four times a day, and most often more; it will never quite look the same. It is the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2023