FIRST READING:
A reading from the first Letter of Saint John (1 John 2:12-17)
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the Evil One. I write to you, children, because you know the father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the Evil One. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm 96:7-8a,8b-9.10 (R.11a)
R/. Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
Give the Lord, you families of peoples,
give the Lord glory and power;
give the Lord the glory of His name. R/.
Bring an offering and enter his courts;
worship the Lord in holy splendor.
O tremble before him, all the earth . R/.
Say to the nations, “The Lord is King.”
The world he made firm in its place;
he will judge the people in fairness. R/.
ALLELUIA
Alleluia. A hallowed day has shone upon us; come, O nations, and adore the Lord; for today a great light has come down to earth.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 2:36-40)
At that time: There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Are you earnestly asking God for something? Do you think that he is delaying in replying? Do not give up! He replies at his own time, which is always the right and the best time. anna had her own desire. Notwithstanding her advanced old age, she persists in her prayer to be alive to see the promised Messiah. Today her life-request is answered. Yours will certainly be answered but you must persevere till the end.
Lord, we pray for perseverance in prayer so that, like Anna, we shall live to testify that the Lord never fails.