Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the fourth week in ordinary time, February 2nd, 2026, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Delivered by Svara Nirmala dan Stella from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Malachi 3: 1-4; Rs psalm 24: 7.8.9.10; Hebrews 2: 14-18; Luke 2: 22-40.HUMILITY FORVICTORY The title for our meditation today is: Humility forVictory. There is a white and big male dog in the parish rectory. It is theParish Priest's favorite dog. Its barking is loud and often scares people whoare new to the parish area. In the rectory there is also a white rooster. Itcrows so loud and strongly raises its flaps.  Both dog and rooster have something in each to boast. Itis about power to dominate. One can threaten another without mercy. Forexample, when the rooster crows, the dog barks to respond it. It seems like thedog wants to assert that he is more powerful, whereas rooster has no influencein that area. When the dog passes near the aluminum cage where it stays, the roosterjumps up and is angrily to attack. It does not want its territory to bedisturbed. But whenever there are some best food on the table ofparish priest, for example bread from regular bakery, put on one plate andgiven to both, they eat together in a friendly and peaceful manner. They sharethe special food. They wait for each other and give each other a chance. After eatingtogether, the two animals return to their places and follow the usual rhythm todominate each other. For us believers, Jesus Christ is the only specialgift of the Father, who makes us all surrender and willing to follow Him. He isthe prime teacher of humility. Although we can become arrogant and quarrel withone another, we shall give in when Jesus Christ is used as our reference forliving and behaving. We are gifted by God with freedom to choose. We can decideto follow His way or reject Him.  The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows theLord’s way of humility, just as when Jesus went down to the Jordan River andasked to be baptized by John the Baptist. The Letter to the Hebrews says thatJesus Christ chose to become equal and part with us humans, the peopleentrusted by the Father to Him, so that through His death, He might free usfrom the power of sin and death. He entered the temple as a way to draw allpeople to faith in the Lord and win their souls. One example of victory for us humans is whatexperienced by Simeon and Hannah, who represent every man and woman in thisworld. Jesus was sent by the Father to win men and women from all the burdensof this world that constantly trouble and torment us. These people of faith seesalvation approaching and they welcome it with joy. Salvation is our victory.Living in humility is the sure path to victory. Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... Oh Lord Jesus, maytoday's feast fill us with Your grace and free us from the burden of ourweaknesses and mistakes. Our Father who art in heaven... In the name of theFather ...