Thursday, February 3, 2022
Liturgical Season: 
II The Season of Yaldo-Denho
Special Significance: 
Mar Simon and Morth Hanna

Eph 3:14-21

Prayer for the Readers.* 14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family* in heaven and on earth is named, 16that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,l 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love,m 18may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth,n 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.o

20Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us,p 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Lk 2:25-38

25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel,* and the holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. 27He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 28he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

29“Now, Master, you may let your servant go

in peace, according to your word,

30for my eyes have seen your salvation,j

31which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,

32a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and glory for your people Israel.”k

33The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradictedl 35(and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.m