Word to the Wise
Sunday, February 2, 2025 - Feb. 2: The Presentation of the Lord
[Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22-32]And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. [Malachi] "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 the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." [Luke]
The feast of the Presentation of the Lord, is also known in English tradition as "candlemas day," because of the custom of blessing candles to be used in liturgy throughout the year, especially at Baptism, and, of course, for the blessing of throats in honor of St. Blaise on Feb. 3! Candles and processions have a long tradition in Catholic tradition. It is easy to get lost in the observance and lose track of the significance of the feast. What does it tell us about Jesus?
The temple, the prophecies of Malachi and Simeon, the idea of light-revelation - these all have symbolic significance. The temple, which Jesus would refer to as "my Father's house" later on, will eventually disappear! (I find some irony in the fact that those who sold "turtledoves or pigeons" to Mary and Joseph, would find that same baby, later on, opening the bird cages and setting the birds free in a general "cleansing!") The "Lord whom you seek" would come back and "purify" the temple! The candles and light point to Jesus as the "light of revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel." It's all very rich! But we can get lost in the symbols and lose their significance. It's like getting lost in the menu and forgetting the whole point of the meal - to celebrate something important. Managing a lighted candle can be a challenge on these occasions (like Holy Saturday)! Jesus is the light of God for the world. A candle can be a physical prayer as well as a source of light! AMEN
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