December 27, 2014
The Presentation in the Temple
A reading from the Gospel of Saint Luke 2, 22 – 35:
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him (the child Jesus) up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate of the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It has been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him, and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted: and you yourself a sword will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
For the Church, the great Feast of Christmas does not end on December 25 but it continues for a whole week and it is called the Octave of Christmas. So we have a full week to celebrate this very important Feast. Do not take down the decorations of Christmas right after the Feast on December 25 but keep them up until New Year’s Day.
Below you will find the message of Our Blessed Mother given to Father Melvin. She spoke to him these words,
“I bless you My son Melvin and all My sons and daughters during this Octave of Christmas as you celebrate over a whole week the wonderful happening in the city of Bethlehem. Joseph and I went there and when we arrived it was time for Me to give birth to My Son Jesus. It was in the city of David that Jesus was born for truly He is a descendant of King David. Eight days after His birth Joseph and I took the child Jesus to Jerusalem to the temple to offer Him up to God the Father. While we were there, a man called Simeon came to us and asked if he could hold the child. I gave him the Child Jesus and he held Him in his arms and prophesied. He said that the child Jesus was a light to the Gentiles and glory for his people Israel. He then turned to Me and said these words, “Behold this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted, and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
I never forgot this prophecy for it spoke about Me. A sword would pierce My heart one day. This happened at the foot of the cross of My Son Jesus. As I stood there seeing Him suffer so horribly, I felt as if a sword pierced My heart. However, due to the grace of God, I did not fall but I kept standing on my feet. I knew that He was the Messiah, the Savior of all the people of the world and that He had to suffer much to atone for all the sins of the world. He came into the world to show us His love and mercy and to save all those who believe in Him and follow Him. I love you all and My Son Jesus blesses you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. What a beautiful day we had on Dec. 26 with sunshine the whole day. Thank you Lord.