Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

Just as John the Baptist was the messenger of the Lord and the preparer of His way into the world, so must we become heralds of God’s Will. Being His messenger means not only listening to the Good News, but proclaiming it through our every word and work. It means preparing ourselves in such a way to make our souls into living temples where God can dwell. It also requires us to perform acts of charity and mercy for others so that their hearts will be open to the coming of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do these things if we don’t refine our faith and let God purge us of our sins and imperfections. It is only through His Grace that we can increase in spiritual richness and attain our highest purpose.

Are we messengers of God or the world? How can we become better prophets of God’s Love and Divine Truth? What can we do to purify our souls?

O Lord, refine us and make us into faithful messengers of your Good News.

Amen.