Word to the Wise
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - The Presentation of the Lord
[Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40]Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. [Luke]
The words of Simeon, spoken in gratitude upon seeing Jesus brought to the temple, are more than just his noble sentiments. Like so much of the "infancy narrative" of the Gospel of Luke, the words are part of a "mini-gospel." Jesus is "presented" (not so much by his parents, who are showing that his family were observant Jews) as "salvation" for all peoples - Gentiles as well as Jews! The emphasis is on the "light of revelation" which was symbolized in the traditional celebration of this feast by blessing and lighting candles and walking in procession with them. (Later tradition would use these candles the next day on the feast of St. Blaise for the blessing of throats.) The words of Simeon are celebrated as the NUNC DIMITTIS canticle at the liturgical hour of Compline each evening. At every baptism that I celebrate, as part of the ritual, I light a candle from the large Paschal Candle and hand it to the parents and godparents with the admonition to keep the fire of faith burning brightly for the newly baptized infant. My hope is that the child will learn the faith as one of giving and receiving the love of God and neighbor. I am also put in mind of the famous motto of the "Christopher Movement" - "If everyone lit just one little candle, what a bright world it would be." Each of us can be the "light of revelation" to one another if only we live in the light of that faith which has come to us not only in the form of tradition but also in the daily light of the Holy Spirit " working in our hearts through faith in Christ." (St. Thomas Aquinas). AMEN
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