A WORD FOR TODAY 2 FEBRUARY 2021

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A WORD FOR TODAY

GIVE THE GIFT OF YOURSELF TO GOD

_"And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”(Luke 2:22-23)_

_*Today the universal Church celebrates the feast of the presentation of the child Jesus in the temple. It is a day we remember that the parents of Jesus brought Him to the temple and dedicated Him to God as it is written in the law. He was brought to the temple not because He had sin, but that He who is holiness Himself will sanctify the temple where we who are sinful will go to find purification and mercy from the Lord.*_

_Jesus came from the Father to us, but on this day He was offered to the Father. He was dedicated to God and that means that He belongs to God and has come to work for Him. It is a feast that is rich in meaning and inspiration._

_*Just as Jesus is presented to the Lord we are constantly expected to always give ourselves as a gift to the Lord. On the day of our baptism we were marked with the sign of the faith and we were dedicated to the Lord, therefore, we must always live out our dedication in praise and honor to God.*_

_If we truly belong to God, we must live for Him and help others to come to follow Him. We must give Him the gift of our lives and be dedicated and devoted to Him. We must live in the light and detest everything that represents darkness. We must also be ready to do for others what Mary and Joseph did for Jesus, we must guide them to be dedicated to the Lord. They marvelled at what was said about the child and they pondered it in their hearts._

_*Jesus was special and God's wisdom and favor was upon Him. When Simeon saw Him and held Him in his arms, his heart was filled with Joy and he was fulfilled to have been given the privilege to see the salvation and light of the world and he was ready to depart in peace and return back to his creator. The same opportunity was also given to Anna who also was at the temple and saw Jesus and gave thanks to God.*_

_Today is also world day of consecrated men and women or religious life. It is a day they celebrate that they have offered themselves to the Lord just as Jesus was offered and they now belong to Him and must serve Him in spirit and truth. Let us ask the Lord to continue to bless and guide them in their vocation._

_*Give yourself as a gift to God today, present yourself and be dedicated to Him. Serve Him with your heart and shine as the light so that others through you will come to know Him and live for Him also. You belong to God and there is no need for you to contaminate yourself by paying allegiance to other gods. Live for God and you will be happy forever.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a beautiful day. May God accept you as a gift to Him and may He bless you immensely. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Malachi 3:1-4/Psalm 24:7-10/Hebrews 2:14-18/Luke 2:22-40

*Watch-Word:* Behold, the child is set for the falling and rising of many in Israel.

*Give yourself to Jesus and He will take care of you and you will be able to serve Him well.*

(Tuesday of the fourth week in the ordinary time. Feast of the presentation of the Lord. Year I)