Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Longing for light,
we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth
we turn to you.
Make us your own,
your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Christ be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ be our light!
Shine in your church
gathered today.
Longing for peace,
our world is troubled.
Longing for hope,
many despair.
Your word alone
has pow’r to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ be our light!
Shine in your church
gathered today.
Longing for food,
many are hungry.
Longing for water,
many still thirst.
Make us your bread,
broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Christ be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ be our light!
Shine in your church
gathered today.
Longing for shelter,
many are homeless.
Longing for warmth,
many are cold.
Make us your building,
sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Christ be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ be our light!
Shine in your church
gathered today.
Many the gifts,
many the people.
Many the hearts
that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants
to one another, making your
kingdom come.
Christ be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ be our light!
Shine in your church
gathered today.
Psalmody
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Simeon was a holy and devout man who looked for the redemption of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was with him.
Psalm 63:2-9
A soul thirsting for God
O God, you are my God, for you I long; *
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you *
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary *
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life, *
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life, *
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, *
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
On my bed I remember you. *
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help; *
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Father, creator of unfailing light, give that same light to those who call to you. May our lips praise you; our lives proclaim your goodness; our work give you honor, and our voices celebrate you for ever.
Ant. Simeon was a holy and devout man who looked for the redemption of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was with him.
Ant. 2 Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God.
Canticle: Daniel 3:57-88, 56
Let all creatures praise the Lord
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
You heavens, bless the Lord.
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. *
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord. *
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. *
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord. *
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord. *
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord. *
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord. *
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
Let the earth bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. *
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord. *
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. *
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. *
You sons of men, bless the Lord.
O Israel, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. *
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. *
Let us praise and exalt him above all forever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. *
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.
Ant. Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God.
Ant. 3 He is a light to reveal you to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.
Psalm 149
The joy of God’s holy people.
Sing a new song to the Lord, *
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, *
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing *
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people. *
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, *
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips *
and a two-edged sword in their hand,
to deal out vengeance to the nations *
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles in fetters of iron;
to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; *
this honor is for all his faithful.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Let Israel rejoice in you, Lord, and acknowledge you as creator and redeemer. We put our trust in your faithfulness and proclaim the wonderful truths of salvation. May your loving kindness embrace us now and for ever.
Ant. He is a light to reveal you to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.
Dan Schutte, SJ
Glory to God! Glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest!
And on earth, peace on earth,
peace to people of good will.
We praise You, we bless You,
We adore You, we glorify You,
We give You thanks
for Your great glory,
Lord God, Heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ,
Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
Son of the Father,
You take away the
sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
You take away the sins of
the world, receive our pray'r;
You are seated at the
right hand, the right hand of
the Father, have mercy on us.
For You alone
are the Holy One;
You alone are the Lord.
You alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
With the Holy Spirit, in the
glory of God, the Father.
Glory to God! Glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest!
And on earth, peace on earth,
peace to people of good will.
Amen! Amen!
1st Reading
Mal 3:1-4
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Malachi
Thus says the Lord God:
Lo, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me;
And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
But who will endure the day of his coming?
And who can stand when he appears?
For he is like the refiner’s fire,
or like the fuller’s lye.
He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem
will please the LORD,
as in the days of old, as in years gone by.
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
℟. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
℟. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
℟. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
℟. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
℟. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
2nd Reading
Heb 2:14-18
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews
Since the children share in blood and flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
Thanks be to God.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory to your people Israel.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Gospel
Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
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,
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.
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 had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ 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 the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
In the longer form, the reading continues:
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.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.”
At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:
The Gospel of the Lord.
All reply:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:
Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of
the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right
hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the
Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in One, Holy,
Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to
the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Lord, we gather today, in your house we kneel down and pray.
We ask for your mercy as we
open our hearts to receive your forgiveness, O Lord.
Lord, we lift up to you, all these gifts we offer for your glory.
We will eat this living bread,
we will drink this saving cup,
and feel your presence, O Lord.
As we offer this bread and
as we bring you this wine,
bless them Lord Jesus,
feed us now, give us life.
Send us your spirit,
the source of our lives,
and together we will
serve you with love.
As we offer this bread and
as we bring you this wine,
bless them Lord Jesus,
feed us now, give us life.
Send us your spirit,
the source of our lives,
and together we will
serve you with love.
M.V. Francisco, SJ
Holy, holy, holy
Lord God of Hosts!
Heaven and Earth
are full of Your glory,
full of Your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
M.V. Francisco, SJ
When we eat this Bread
and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death,
O Lord,
until you come again,
until you come again,
we proclaim your Death,
O Lord.
M.V. Francisco, SJ
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread, and
forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who
trespass against us;
and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us,
deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
M.V. Francisco, SJ
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins
of the world, have mercy,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins
of the world, have mercy,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins
of the world, grant us peace,
grant us peace.
Lord, let your servant
go in peace, for your word
has been fulfilled.
A child shall be born to
the virgin, and His name
shall be called ”Emmanuel.”
Lord, let your servant
go in peace, for your word
has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen
your salvation, which you
have prepared for all men.
Lord, let your servant
go in peace, for your word
has been fulfilled.
A light shall reveal to the to
the nations, and the glory
of your people Israel.
Lord, let your servant
go in peace, for your word
has been fulfilled.
Lord, let your servant go in peace.
Gospel Canticle
Ant. When the parents of Jesus brought him into the temple, Simeon took him in his arms and gave thanks to God.
Canticle of Zechariah
Luke 1:68-79
The Messiah and his forerunner
Blessed + be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old †
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. When the parents of Jesus brought him into the temple, Simeon took him in his arms and gave thanks to God.
Lift up, you gates,
lift up your arches:
Let the
King of Glory come!
Lift up your hearts
and sing you people:
let the
King of Glory come!
Who is the King of glory?
Yahweh, holy and strong!
Who is the Lord of majesty?
Yahweh mighty and strong!
Lift up, you gates,
lift up your arches:
Let the
King of Glory come!
Lift up your hearts
and sing you people:
let the
King of Glory come!
Let the
King of Glory come!