BEADS
OF JOY 02-02-14
“Lighted Candles Burning”
©2014 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
“Lighted Candles Burning”
©2014 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
Today’s Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 (The Presentation of
the Lord in the Temple) “When the time came for the purification rites
required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present
him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male
is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with
what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.”
My Friends,
What an absolutely beautiful day to celebrate. Today
is the Feast Day of "The Presentation of Jesus in The Temple".
This is also the Fourth Joyful Mystery. See how the Rosary is all about
scripture, hence it's all about Jesus. Today our Lord takes His first journey
to His Father's house, 40 days after His birth according to Mosaic Law. An
exciting journey indeed. This feast day is often called "Candlemass",
meaning "Candle Mass" in my research I have also found that
this day is also referred to as "Feast of the Purification of the
Blessed Virgin", I heard of that one; but I also came across, "Hypapante
tou kyriou" which means: the meeting of the Lord in the temple, I
never heard of that one before. Either way it is a rather interesting Feast Day
to research.
Check this out. Farmers use to observe the weather on Candlemass and that usually meant that the remainder of the winter will be the complete opposite. This was a sort of Groundhog Day. On this Feast Day we greet our Lady with lighted candles burning with a zeal and love for her Son. Through Mary we are always directed to Jesus. This lighted candle that we light today; is a NEW light of Faith, Hope and Charity from our heart to all.
Check this out. Farmers use to observe the weather on Candlemass and that usually meant that the remainder of the winter will be the complete opposite. This was a sort of Groundhog Day. On this Feast Day we greet our Lady with lighted candles burning with a zeal and love for her Son. Through Mary we are always directed to Jesus. This lighted candle that we light today; is a NEW light of Faith, Hope and Charity from our heart to all.
It's also said that Simeon sang those verse out-loud
upon seeing Jesus arrive at the temple. Which makes a lot of sense, how can
somebody be so bottled up with so much Joy and anticipation without letting it
out in such a joyous way? I can relate to that. J
Let us
pray:
Almighty and ever-loving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Almighty and ever-loving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!
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Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
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