Our Gospel for Dec 30. Perseverance is the Key to a Good Prayer Life.

Luke 2:36-40

There was 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,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And 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.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

Matiyagang Pananalangin.

Lucas 2:36-40
 
 Naroroon din si Ana, isang babaeng propeta na anak ni Fanuel, mula sa lipi ni Aser. Siya ay lubhang matanda na. Mula sa kaniyang kadalagahan, pitong taon siyang namuhay na may asawa. Siya ay mga walumpu't-apat na taon na at siya ay isang balo. At hindi na siya umalis sa templo. Araw at gabi siya ay naglilingkod na may mga pag-aayuno at mga pagdalangin. Sa oras ding iyon, pumasok siya sa kinaroroonan nila at nagpuri sa Panginoon. Nagsalita siya patungkol kay Jesus sa kanilang lahat na nasa Jerusalem na naghihintay ng katubusan.
 
Naganap na nila ang lahat ng mga bagay ayon sa kautusan ng Panginoon. Sila ay bumalik sa Galilea, sa Nazaret na kanilang lungsod. Ang bata ay lumaki at lumakas sa espiritu. Napuspos siya ng karunungan at ang biyaya ng Diyos ay sumakaniya.

Our Gospel for Dec 29. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

Luke 2: 22 -35

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,  in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now 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.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.  

He 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, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”  The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about  him; and 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 contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”