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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2014  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."

 

     The feast of the Presentation of the Lord is meant to commemorate the incident in the Gospel of Luke in which Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the temple to "redeem" him, as required by Mosaic law.  However, liturgical tradition has added its own elements, especially the element of light and candles, because the story includes the "Canticle of Simeon," with the words, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles!"  So, the church blesses candles and provides for a procession, which gives this feast day the traditional name: "Candlemas Day."  To top it off, the feast of St. Blaise, patron of those who suffer from diseases of the throat, occurs the next day and a couple of candles blessed today are used as part of the "blessing of the throats."  [Are candles necessary for this?  No, but TRADITIONNNNNN!] 

 

     The theme of light and darkness is reflected both in Simeon's canticle of gratitude [light] and his ominous prophecy [darkness] to Jesus' parents about his fate, and to Mary about her own suffering to come.  The fact that this occurs at the temple is important as well, as reflected in the scripture from Malachi: "And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek....], because Mary and Joseph show themselves to be pious Jews and because Jesus will be shown to transcend the temple and Mosiac law to be the light to ALL nations! 

 

     This is all a lot of theology and liturgy to digest for one day.  I'm put in mind of the lines from the "Christopher Movement" of the 1950's and 60's [on B&W TV!], "If everyone lit just one little candle, what a bright world it would be...."  Light your own candle and tell the story.  AMEN