Readings for the Feast of The Presentation
According to the usage of the Episcopal Church
Feast Day: February 2

Eucharistic Readings

Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 84 or 84:1-6
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40

Daily Office

Evening Prayer I: Psalm 113, 122; 1 Samuel 1:20-28a; Romans 8:14-21
Morning Prayer: Psalm 42, 43; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; John 8:31-36
Evening Prayer II: Psalm 48,87; Haggai 2:1-9; 1 John 3:1-8


The Collect
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Eucharistic Readings

Malachi 3:1-4

Thus says the Lord, See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight-- indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.  

1
How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! *
     My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD;
     my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
2
The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
     by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts,
     my King and my God.
3
Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
     they will always be praising you.
4
Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
     whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.
5
Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of
                                springs, *
     for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
6
They will climb from height to height, *
     and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
[7
LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
     hearken, O God of Jacob.
8
Behold our defender, O God; *
     and look upon the face of your Anointed.
9
For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own
                                room, *
     and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God
     than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
10
For the LORD God is both sun and shield; *
     he will give grace and glory;
11
No good thing will the LORD withhold *
     from those who walk with integrity.
12
O LORD of hosts, *
     happy are they who put their trust in you!]

Hebrews 2:14-18 Since God's children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Luke 2:22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
    according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
    which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
    and for glory to your people Israel."

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by 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.




Evening Prayer I

Psalms 113,122
1
Hallelujah!
Give praise, you servants of the LORD; *
     praise the Name of the LORD.
2
Let the Name of the LORD be blessed, *
     from this time forth for evermore.
3
From the rising of the sun to its going down *
     let the Name of the LORD be praised.
4
The LORD is high above all nations, *
     and his glory above the heavens.
5
Who is like the LORD our God, who sits enthroned on high, *
     but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth?
6
He takes up the weak out of the dust *
     and lifts up the poor from the ashes.
7
He sets them with the princes, *
     with the princes of his people.
8
He makes the woman of a childless house *
     to be a joyful mother of children.
1
I was glad when they said to me, *
     "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
2
Now our feet are standing *
     within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3
Jerusalem is built as a city *
     that is at unity with itself;
4
To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD, *
     the assembly of Israel,
     to praise the Name of the LORD.
5
For there are the thrones of judgment, *
     the thrones of the house of David.
6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
     "May they prosper who love you.
7
Peace be within your walls *
     and quietness within your towers.
8
For my brethren and companions' sake, *
     I pray for your prosperity.
9
Because of the house of the LORD our God, *
     I will seek to do you good."

1 Samuel 1:20-28a

In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, ‘I have asked him of the Lord.’

 The man Elkanah and all his household went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, ‘As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the Lord, and remain there for ever; I will offer him as a nazirite for all time.’ Her husband Elkanah said to her, ‘Do what seems best to you, wait until you have weaned him; only—may the Lord establish his word.’ So the woman remained and nursed her son, until she weaned him. When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh; and the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, ‘Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.’

Romans 8:14-21

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.


Morning Prayer


    Psalms 42, 43



Psalm 42    
Quemadmodum
1
As the deer longs for the water-brooks, *
     so longs my soul for you, O God.
2
My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; *
     when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
3
My tears have been my food day and night, *
     while all day long they say to me,
     "Where now is your God?"
4
I pour out my soul when I think on these things; *
     how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of God,
5
With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, *
     among those who keep holy-day.
6
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
     and why are you so disquieted within me?
7
Put your trust in God; *
     for I will yet give thanks to him,
     who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
8
My soul is heavy within me; *
     therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,
     and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon.
9
One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts; *
     all your rapids and floods have gone over me.
10
The LORD grants his loving-kindness in the daytime; *
     in the night season his song is with me,
     a prayer to the God of my life.
11
I will say to the God of my strength,
"Why have you forgotten me? *
     and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?"
12
While my bones are being broken, *
     my enemies mock me to my face;
13
All day long they mock me *
     and say to me, "Where now is your God?"
14
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
     and why are you so disquieted within me?
15
Put your trust in God; *
     for I will yet give thanks to him,
     who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
1
Give judgment for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people; *
     deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.
2
For you are the God of my strength;
why have you put me from you? *
     and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?
3
Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, *
     and bring me to your holy hill
     and to your dwelling;
4
That I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness; *
     and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.
5
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
     and why are you so disquieted within me?
6
Put your trust in God; *
     for I will yet give thanks to him,
     who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

1 Samuel 2:1-10

Hannah prayed and said,
‘My heart exults in the Lord;
   my strength is exalted in my God.
My mouth derides my enemies,
   because I rejoice in my victory.

‘There is no Holy One like the Lord,
   no one besides you;
   there is no Rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
   let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
   and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
   but the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
   but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven,
   but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
   he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
   he brings low, he also exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
   he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes
   and inherit a seat of honour.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
   and on them he has set the world.

‘He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
   but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
   for not by might does one prevail.
The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered;
   the Most High will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
   he will give strength to his king,
   and exalt the power of his anointed.’

John 8:31-36

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’

Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.


Evening Prayer II


Psalms 48, 87

1
Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; *
     in the city of our God is his holy hill.
2
Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, *
     the very center of the world and the city of the great King.
3
God is in her citadels; *
     he is known to be her sure refuge.
4
Behold, the kings of the earth assembled *
     and marched forward together.
5
They looked and were astounded; *
     they retreated and fled in terror.
6
Trembling seized them there; *
     they writhed like a woman in childbirth,
     like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
7
As we have heard, so have we seen,
in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; *
     God has established her for ever.
8
We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, *
     in the midst of your temple.
9
Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; *
     your right hand is full of justice.
10
Let Mount Zion be glad
and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
     because of your judgments.
11
Make the circuit of Zion;
walk round about her; *
     count the number of her towers.
12
Consider well her bulwarks;
examine her strongholds; *
     that you may tell those who come after.
13
This God is our God for ever and ever; *
     he shall be our guide for evermore.
1
On the holy mountain stands the city he has founded; *
     the LORD loves the gates of Zion
     more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
2
Glorious things are spoken of you, *
     O city of our God.
3
I count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me; *
     behold Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia:
     in Zion were they born.
4
Of Zion it shall be said, "Everyone was born in her, *
     and the Most High himself shall sustain her."
5
The LORD will record as he enrolls the peoples, *
     "These also were born there."
6
The singers and the dancers will say, *
     "All my fresh springs are in you."      

Haggai 2:1-9

In the second year of King Darius,in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendour, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts. The latter splendour of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.

1 John 3:1-8

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.



 
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