Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

ஆண்டவரைக் காணிக்கையாக அர்ப்பணித்தல், விழா (Feb 2, 2026)

மலாக்கி 3:1-4 (அ) எபிரேயர் 2:14-18. லூக்கா 2:22-40

ஆண்டவரை எருசலேம் ஆலயத்தில் காணிக்கையாக ஒப்புக்கொடுக்கும் இன்றைய விழா.  இயேசுவை பலியாக, காணிக்கையாக்குகிறார்கள்/ ஒப்புக் கொடுக்கிறார்கள்/அர்ப்பணிக்கிறார்கள். 

எதற்காக? 

ஒவ்வொரு மதத்திற்கென்று சில வழிபாட்டு முறைகள் உண்டு. யூத மதத்தின் மோசேயின் கட்டளைகளின்படி "எந்த ஒரு பெற்றோருக்கும் பிறந்த முதல் ஆண் குழந்தை ஆண்டவருக்கு அர்ப்பணிக்கப்பட வேண்டும்" (வி.ப 13: 2) ஒவ்வொரு கருப்பையும் திறக்கும் முதல் குழந்தை அல்லது விலங்கு கடவுளுக்கு காணிக்கையாக்கப்பட வேண்டும். முதற் குழந்தை என்பது ஆண்டவருக்கு சொந்தமானது. கடவுளுடைய விடுதலைச் செயலுக்கான நன்றி அடையாளம். எகிப்து தேசத்தில் முதல் பிறந்தவர்களை கடவுள் எடுத்துக் கொள்கிறார். தூய்மையாக்குகின்றார். 

இன்றைய நாள் அர்ப்பண வாழ்வின் நாள் எனவும் கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது. ஆண்டவருக்குத் தம்மையே அர்ப்பணித்துள்ள ஆண், பெண் துறவியர்களை நாம் நினைவுகூர்கிறோம். இன்றைய நாள் நமக்கு விடுக்கும் அழைப்புகள் எவை?

1. Love means sacrifice: 

• On the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a priest once asked a simple question: “What is the symbol of love?”
• Some replied: heart, kiss, hug and candle.
• But the priest said, “The true symbol of love is sacrifice. Only when we sacrifice are we truly qualified to love. Without sacrifice, love remains incomplete.”

This truth speaks powerfully to consecrated persons, married couples and life partners. Your life or marriage is not sustained by emotions alone, but by daily, often hidden sacrifices—patience, forgiveness, fidelity, and self-giving. Love matures when spouses learn not to possess one another, but to offer one another.

There is a deep and sacred connection between sacrifice and consecration. The word sacrifice comes from the Latin sacer (sacred) and facere (to make), meaning “to make sacred.” Saint Paul echoes this when he exhorts the Romans: “Offer yourselves as a living, holy, and pleasing sacrifice to God” (Rom 12:1).

Dear religious men and women, couples, whatever is offered to God as a sacrifice is not taken back. In marriage, spouses are called not to withdraw their love when it becomes costly, but to remain faithful even when it hurts. True love does not ask, “What do I receive?” but “What can I give?”

இன்றைய வழிபாட்டில் நாம் மெழுகுதிரிகள் ஏந்திப் பவனி வருகிறோம். எரிந்து உருகுகிற மெழுகு இயேசுவின் முழுமையான பலியை நமக்கு நினைவூட்டுவதோடு நாமும் நம்மையே கடவுளுக்கு முழுமையாகப் பலியாக்க நம்மை அழைக்கிறது. This melting flame reminds us of Christ’s total self-gift—and it also calls couples to live a love that burns for the other, a love willing to be spent for the sake of family, children, and mutual holiness.

On this feast of the Presentation, the religoius are invited to renew their consecration: to present their life, their struggles, their joys, and their future in the hands of God—so that, through daily sacrifice, their love may be made sacred, and their family may become a living temple of God. There is a deep connection between obedience, sacrifice, and consecration. When we obey what the Lord asks of us, we offer a sacrifice that makes our lives holy. Through the action of the Holy Spirit, God transforms obedience into wisdom. As Christ himself did, we make our lives sacred by our actions, offering them in his holy house for his name and for the building up of his Kingdom.

Manila, Feb 2, 2025: 

Every religion has its own important doctrines and principles. Judaism also has its own rites. It was evident in the book of the Torah. Some rules and laws in Torah seem to us meaningless but they were considered divine. I can give you a lot of examples. For example, we find this law in the book of Exodus, the LORD said to Moses, “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”

Questions come to our mind: Why the firstborn male? People in ancient cultures had this tradition that the eldest son was endowed with a lot of benefits for the Jewish family. The firstborn male was important because he was the “opener of the womb” (Exodus 13:2, 12, 15; Numbers 18:15; Luke 2:23). During birth, the firstborn son would become the primary heir of the family. The child who comes out first from the womb is dedicated to God, carrying God’s grace. The question arises: does it mean the families with feminine children do not have their share of grace? 

God himself favored the younger sons in the Bible (Abel, Jacob and Joseph). The elder sons were considered important for the Israelite family even though they were often wicked and cunning (Cain and Esau). But the Israelites had this strong and long belief the elder sons were consecrated to the temple of God as an expiation of sin. The particular rigid law becomes meaningless when time and culture pass one over the other. 

1. Obedience to God's law will bring wisdom:

1. Obedience to God’s Law Brings Wisdom: Mary and Joseph, the poor parents of Jesus, faithfully obeyed the Law of Israel, even though the law itself was imperfect. On the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, this offers a first and enduring message: obedience to God’s law brings wisdom, because through obedience the human will is purified. Even within imperfect structures, God is at work, carrying forward his saving plan.

In today’s context, disobedience is often celebrated as a form of freedom. A prisoner justifies why he committed road accidents: “I just wanted to disobey.” Yet such attitudes reveal a misunderstanding of freedom. True freedom, especially in consecrated life, is born of obedience from the heart. The obedience of Mary and Joseph was not forced but freely chosen, rooted in love for the Lord.

2. Child Jesus connects the past and future: 

For sure, all our communities are composed of elderly persons, some carrying pre-Vatican II experiences. Their role and presence are important in our communities. Simeon was an old man, nearing the day of death, carrying the child Jesus and announcing the prophecy of Messiah. Correctly predicting the presence of Messiah for the others. They tell almost 100 to 150 children were being brought to the temple of Jerusalem every day in those times. How could Simeon identify the presence of Messiah in the poor parents? We hear a proverb, "You don't choose a book, the book chose you". Simeon did not recognize Jesus, the Child recognized Simeon. Simeon carries the child. He understands his temporary existence. "Now, Lord, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation". The world will give us pleasure and increase our longing to acquire and live. 

Our beautiful and strong instrument is Hope: From Isaiah, Malachi, the last prophet (of OT), and Simeon before the last moment to touch the child Jesus, all the prophets experienced this instrument. Let us hopefully celebrate this Feast that all the religious people will consecrate their hearts to the Lord. 

Feb 2, 2024 Manila

Ipinagdiriwang natin ngayon Ang kapistahan ng presentation of lord Jesus Christ in the temple. 

Jewish tradition: Every religion has its own important doctrines and principles. Judaism also has its own rites. It was evident in the book of the Torah. The LORD said to Moses, “1Sinabi ng Panginoon kay Moises, 2“Italaga nʼyo sa akin ang lahat ng panganay na lalaki ng mga Israelita at ang panganay ng lahat ng hayop.” “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.” It is a Jewish tradition that every firstborn must be offered or presented to the Lord, sino ito panganay na lalaki sa pamilya?  Why the firstborn? In olden days, they used to have maraming children, the first child/best child was offered, the eldest son had a lot of benefits in the family, Lord was pleased with Abel who offered the best fruits to the Lord. Offering or presentation is a gesture of recognizing God's goodness and generosity. presenting the child is an act of consecration meaning to say, you take care of him. 

Sino ang mga sponsor ng misa ngayon? sino ang nag-aalok ng host at alak ngayon sa prusisyon? It is not howmuch we give, how we give, before starting anything good, try to offer it to the Lord, not to please him, 

God himself favored the younger sons in the Bible (Abel, Jacob and Joseph). The elder sons were considered important for the Israelite family even though they were often wicked and cunning (Cain and Esau). But the Israelites had this strong and long belief the elder sons were consecrated to the temple of God as an expiation of sin. The particular rigid law becomes meaningless when time and culture pass one over the other. 

Elderly people are experienced: The two significant names are mentioned here: namely Simeon and Anna and what is interesting is that matanda sila, Senior citizens, Prophet Anna was 84 years old, and had long experience in the religious life of staying in the Lord’s temple, spending time in prayer and fasting. These Senior citizens have a special place in the heart of God, even if you are already Senior, have Dementia, if you have dialysis, never disregard old people because the prayer of all people is very powerful, don't be ashamed if you are old, because aging is just another word for blessing, you are like Simon and Anna because you're always in the church day and night like Anna not day and night, but almost every morning you know you know that that's why I would like to express my gratitude to all the old people who Come To Church

Young ones should learn to appreciate the wisdom of the older ones, asks the Seniors to pray for you, asks your Grandma and grandpa to pray for you. Simeon correctly predicting the presence of Messiah for the others. They tell almost 100 to 150 children were being brought to the temple of Jerusalem every day in those times. How could Simeon identify the presence of Messiah in the poor parents? kababayans my dear friends you are the modern Simeon and Prophet of our time especially to lolos and lolas, 

untiringly Thank you for making our church a place of your place of refuge and security Thank 

reward and you know the prayer of Simon, “Lord allow me to go in peace because I have seen you can you imagine he had the chance to Hold the Messiah in his hands and to all the Seniors old people who Come To Church regularly our Servants is blessed Because of You our community is enjoying the blessings the rewards from God because you are here praying for the safety and for everybody praying for the good of our our community 

Ang misa ng Candelaria:

This feast is also called kapistahan ng candelariyo, Ang Birhen ng Candelaria ay isang sikat na imahe sa lungsod ng Candelaria (Spain). Siya ay inilalarawan bilang isang Black Madonna. Ang Liwanag ng buhay natin at glory, 

• Minsan kailangan natin ang biyaya natin pakita, dahil situasyon tayo ang candiliman, talagang 
• walang tayo Nakikita ang purpose, 
• walang tayo Nakikita kabuluhan, 
• walang tayo Nakikita ang plan 
• ang feeling mo useless, senseless, walang purpose 

Today is the day, there is a meaning, it is good to live for him, like Simeon and Anna, all over the life, put light and glory, si Jesus ay ang liwanagn  luwalhati ng candiliman, ano mang kwentong buhay, you are not a loser, patalo, you have a success, 

your life is just like the candle, in what ever situasyon, I put light and glory in my darkness, Like Simon and Anna,  let your face be nonstop it means be consistent and never be frustrated even if it takes you to wait long, never be discouraged you know never give up even if it takes for you long to wait the blessings you have ask,

Blessings may be delayed, but not denied. Just keep waiting. 

Let me end my reflection with three Ps. 

• Let us make ourselves presentable before the Lord, 
• Dear parents, please pray for your children, consecrate them to God, and pray for them that God may bless them, protect them, and that they may grow not only in age but also in wisdom, humility, and the fear of the Lord.
• Let us purify ourselves every day by doing the Will Of God that we may abound in good works if you love and like this