02 February 2007

The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord

What joy to gather together with saints on earth and saints in heaven to celebrate and rejoice in the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord. Today we remember that joyous meeting in the temple of Sts. Simeon and Anna and the child. The epistle for today in LSB was from Hebrews 2 - about how our Lord destroyed the power of the devil by delivering those who through fear of death were held in life-long bondage. As St. Simeon holds the Holy Child, he prays: "Now, Lord, You let Your servant go in peace" which is to say, "I can just die now, Lord, it's okay. I'm at peace because now I know that the Destruction of Death and the Forgiveness of Sin lives and breathes in human flesh and blood." Dying can still be terrifying and awful, but DEATH can terrify us no more! Into us have gone the Body and Blood of the Child who met Death head on and beat the tarnation out of it. "A light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of Israel" indeed!
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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:14 AM

    Walther's devotion for this day is especially good in the back of God Grant It. I made a note to use with in the future with those approaching death.

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  2. William Weedon9:24 AM

    Thanks, Jimbo! I forgot that there were devotions on some of the festivals at the end of the book. I had looked at that one before and thought it very good, and had promptly forgotten it. GRRR. Thansk for the reminder!!!

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