To present Him to the Lord

“Mary and Joseph took 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 in the law of the Lord.” (LK 2: 22-24)

In today’s feast we celebrate not only the presentation of the Lord, but also His first meeting with us—all the human beings. Jesus is always between us and His Father in Heaven, fulfilling God’s will and presenting us to Him. He is a light for us and a sacrifice t0 God. He united us with the Father and invited us again to follow Him. 

“A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Gospel Acclamation)