Word to the Wise
Monday, February 2, 2015 - Feb. 2 - The Presentation of the Lord
[Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22-32]"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 the sight of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel." [Luke]
For bringing together an incredible amount of biblical theology and popular devotion, it would be difficult to match the feast of the Presentation. One of the popular devotions seems to eclipse the feast itself, the blessing of throats, which occurs the day after but involves the use of the candles blessed on the feast!
Theologically, the Gospel of Luke emphasizes the revelation of Jesus to Simeon and Anna in the temple (which he will replace ultimately), and the fulfillment of both the law (by "redeeming" him with the proper sacrifice) and the prophets (see the first scripture from the prophet Malachi). Liturgically, the church picked up on the theme of light contained in Simeon's "Canticle," which is recited every evening at Compline (Night Prayer) in the Liturgy of the Hours (breviary). In churches where this feast is celebrated with some solemnity, candles are blessed and there is a procession.
Devotionally, the candles somehow became the instrument for the blessing of throats on the feast of St. Blaise, which is tomorrow. That is often, unfortunately, the only signal to many of the faithful that the feast of the Presentation has been celebrated. The richness of the theme of light and fulfillment of hope is really worth making the effort to join in the celebration of this feast. It is really a lot more than hoping one doesn't get a sore throat or the flu at the blessing of throats on the next day. AMEN