The Festival of the Presentation of our Lord and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Posted on February 2, 2026 by under
Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 (NKJV)
1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Devotion
Moses died. He was a normal man. Joshua was also a normal man. But these men served the Lord and pointed to the Servant who would die and rise again, the incarnate Word of God! Moses and Joshua were to do all things according to God’s Word, but as sinful men they did not always do it perfectly. However, our Lord Jesus Christ did do all things perfectly!
The true catholic Church is the whole company of people who have been faithful to the Word of the Lord and looked to Him for forgiveness and salvation. It was never about how good Moses, or Joshua, or anyone in the Old Testament was. It was never just about bloodlines or locations. It has always been about God’s Word and the promise of the true Savior who would lead the whole Church into the kingdom of heaven according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ crucified!
Moses served his purpose. So did Joshua. So did the history and locations around Israel. But now the true people of God are those who still cling to all that the Lord has commanded and promised in Jesus Christ, who saves us from our sin, brings us into the favor of God, and will raise all His people to eternal blessedness!
Collect: O Lord, we beseech Thee favorably to hear the prayers of Thy people: that we, who are justly punished for our offenses, may be mercifully delivered by Thy goodness, for the glory of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Festival of the Presentation of our Lord and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Almighty and Everliving God, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty, that as Thine Only-Begotten Son was this day presented in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto Thee with pure and clean hearts; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
