The Fellowship of St. Columbanus

Malachai 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 St. Luke 2:22-40 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel. (St. Luke 2:29) Today, the Feast of the Presentation (historically the Feast of the Purification of Mary), marks the end of the celebrations of the Incarnation. In today's Gospel, Christ is taken to the Temple to be presented. According to Exodus 13, God claims the firstborn sons of Israel because they were spared in the Plague of the Firstborn in Egypt, making them holy. The image of Christ in this observance is startling: death passes over the firstborn of Israel, redeeming them from slavery and sanctifying them to God, a symbol of the death and resurrection of the firstborn of the Father. Mosaic of the Presentation. Jesuit infirmary, Rome. At the Temple, the Holy Family