Christ is our light - Candlemas

Sisters and brothers in Christ, today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, forty days after the celebration of Christmas.

"The feast has many different names in the Roman Catholic Church. It has been called the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (numbers 18:15), the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Leviticus 12:6-7) and, more familiarly, Candlemas (Luke 2:29-32)" (quoting from article on Aleteia article with Scripture references added by me).

Christ is the "light", as Simeon declares in today's Gospel, and the current Roman Missal has the following prayer that summarizes the symbolism:

"O God, source and origin of all light,

 who on this day showed to the just man Simeon

 the light for revelation to the Gentiles,

 we humbly ask that,

 in answer to your people’s prayers,

 you may be pleased to sanctify with your blessing these candles, which we are eager to carry in praise of your name,

 so that, treading the path of virtue,

 we may reach that light which never fails."

For me, the canticle of Simeon (below) is prayed in Night Prayer for the Liturgy of the Hours.

"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."

It is a reminder to me that the darkness of night ends at the breaking of dawn. More importantly, it is a reminder that the darkness shall pass because the light of Christ will always dispel the darkness in the world. This gives us hope to go about our lives with joy, even in the face of difficulties and challenges, because darkness does not have the final say because the light of Christ conquers the darkness of Satan, the Evil One.

It is important for us to remember that Christ has already won the victory of sin and darkness and we are called to be in his light, especially when go through dark times in our lives - illnesses, deaths, depression, etc. or when the lights are literally out because of weather and we find ourselves sitting in the dark and the cold. In those times, let us hang on to hope that is the light of Christ and be witnesses of that hope and light to others who are also experiencing the darkness and cold. We cannot do it on our own but all things are possible when we turn to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for he will send us his Spirit to be with us and strengthen us.

. . .

Gospel of the Day (short form)

When the days were completed for their purification

according to the law of Moses,

Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem

to present him to the Lord,

just as it is written in the law of the Lord,

Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,

and to offer the sacrifice of

a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,

in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.

This man was righteous and devout,

awaiting the consolation of Israel,

and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit

that he should not see death

before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 

He came in the Spirit into the temple;

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus

to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,

he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

    “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.”