This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, December 31st is from Luke 2:22-40.
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 . . . Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon . . . 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 . . . and when the parents brought in the child Jesus . . . he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: ‘Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace’ . . . There was also a prophetess, Anna . . . she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
Reflection
“Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord because he was their firstborn son. Before he can even be consecrated, however, Simeon and Anna recognize the Savior of the world in this babe. In faith, they have waited all their lives for this moment to come. Their fidelity and devotion to God brought them to the temple each day and allowed them to see the light of the world who would shine forth for all to see.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2023-2024
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God – Of all the Marian celebrations of the Church, this day dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, is the greatest. (See page 5 for more about this day dedicated to the Blessed Mother.)
Tuesday 1 John 2:22-28; John 1:19-28
Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church (Memorial) – Born in Asia Minor, these men are two of the four great doctors of the Eastern Church…because of their preaching, teaching, and defense of the faith against the Arians.
Wednesday 1 John 2:29—3:6; John 1:29-34
Thursday 1 John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious (Memorial) – Born in New York, Elizabeth Bayley married and had five children. After her husband died, she became a Catholic and founded a girls’ school in Baltimore. She founded the Sisters of Charity, the first community of active women religious begun in America, adopting a modified rule of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. (See page 7 under Eucharistic Adoration for more about Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.)
Friday 1 John 3:11-21; John 1:43-51
Saint John Neumann, Bishop (Memorial) – Born in Bohemia, John Neumann emigrated as a missionary to America. He was consecrated bishop of Philadelphia. Devoted to spreading God’s word by preaching and building churches, he was a strong advocate of Catholic education.