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b'(Mal.3:1-4;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.24:7-10;\\xa0\\xa0 Heb.2:14-18;\\xa0\\xa0 Lk.2:22-40)\\xa0 \\u201cSuddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek.\\u201d \\u201cAnd He will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord.\\u201d\\xa0 \\u201cTo expiate the sins of the people\\u201d He has come \\u2013 to bring us light.\\xa0 But to do this \\u201cHe had to become like His brothers and sisters in every way\\u201d; He had to \\u201cshare in blood and flesh\\u201d with us, and so share in our death, to overcome death and make us holy in the sight of God, that our lives might be like His: a true sacrifice to the Lord. Hear in our gospel how many times is stated that when \\u201cMary and Joseph [take] Jesus up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord\\u201d this is done \\u201cjust as it is written in the law of the Lord.\\u201d\\xa0 Because it says, \\u201cEvery male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,\\u201d His parents do so \\u201cin accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.\\u201d\\xa0 They \\u201cbrought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to Him\\u201d; they \\u201cfulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord\\u201d before returning to Galilee to raise Him.\\xa0 Of what significance is this in this day and age when so many place themselves above the need to be obedient to the dictates of the Church and the Holy Spirit which speaks through her.\\xa0 Though the Lord Himself did all according to the way it is written, so many find no necessity for themselves to go to church on Sunday, to confess their sins, to give their tithe\\u2026 and on.\\xa0 In their minds they need no \\u201creligion\\u201d to follow.\\xa0 Let them learn from the Lord and His obedience, and His humility, in the place where God is found. And see what happens when this humble Child allows Himself to be brought into the temple of the Lord: light comes to His people.\\xa0 Simeon the prophet proclaims in joy, \\u201cMy eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples,\\u201d and declares his readiness for death.\\xa0 Anna the prophetess gives thanks to God and speaks \\u201cabout the child to all who [are] awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.\\u201d\\xa0 It is not to a street corner He comes to bring salvation; it is to the temple.\\xa0 There we await Him.\\xa0 There we find Him, in His Father\\u2019s house. Finally, we must relate the pain His coming brings.\\xa0 Though leading to glory, for us as well as for Him, the performance of the Father\\u2019s will in all things is not easy.\\xa0 As \\u201ca sword will pierce\\u201d the Mother\\u2019s heart, so in our purgation, in our persecution as we turn from the darkness of this world to be purified for the next, there shall be suffering.\\xa0 But this suffering does lead to life.\\xa0 But our waiting shall be answered.\\xa0 The light is powerful that comes when we \\u201clift up\\u201d the gates of our hearts \\u201cthat the king of glory may come in,\\u201d but in Him we find all our hearts need.\\xa0 His is a perfect sacrifice. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by Roger Fortney. Music by Roger Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, your Son has come into our midst and united Himself to us; may we be united to Him and become as your Temple.\\xa0 YHWH, in the purification of your Son, we are purified.\\xa0 By His sacrifice, our sacrifice is made acceptable to you.\\xa0 Thank you for presenting Him to us this day, that indeed we might be saved, that indeed as He has become flesh and blood for us, we may become as His flesh and blood and be a holy offering to you. O LORD, we must be purified if we are to come into your Temple, if we are to become as your Temple, according to your desire.\\xa0 And so let us be obedient to your Word, let us welcome Jesus into our hearts, that He might cleanse our troubled souls from any fear of death, that by His presence we might be refined for the kingdom of Heaven. He is our hope.\\xa0 He is our joy.\\xa0 He is our very life, O LORD; let us remain faithful to His Cross.\\xa0 As the sword pierces our own hearts, let us be purged of sin that with Simeon and Anna we might rejoice in the light of your presence.'