Readings:

Mal. 3:1-4; Ps. 24; Heb. 2:14-18; Lk. 2:22-40

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which has also been known as Candlemas as well as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Luke tells us: “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….” According to the Law, when a woman gave birth, she was unclean for seven days, and then an additional thirty-three days in which she could not touch anything holy or enter the sanctuary. What we have taking place in today’s Gospel is the Holy Family observing the Law. Joseph, as the husband of Mary, was responsible to ensure this sacrifice was offered to God on behalf of their first born child. The sacrifice was a remembrance of when the Israelites were in Egypt and God spared all the first born children the night of the Passover. The purpose of sacrifice was to appease God’s wrath, restore his honor, and free Israel from her sins. The Gospel, therefore, shows us the means by which God will bring about this redemption: Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who Simeon says is a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for the people of Israel.

The celebration of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord can be traced back to the early Christian community in Jerusalem. It is believed that the event was commemorated as early as the fourth century. The term “Candlemas” emerged sometime later in the West, where the blessing of candles became a central feature of the celebration, symbolizing Christ as the “light to enlighten the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32). That is why we blessed the candles before Mass and processed them into the church, which is similar to the Easter Vigil. From a liturgical perspective, each of us carrying a candle symbolize Christ as the light of the world. It is also a reminder of our baptismal candle, which symbolizes our relationship to Christ. As the minister says during the Order of Baptism, “Receive the light of Christ. [T]his light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly…[W]alk always as a child of the light.”

St. Luke provides a well-researched account of what happened in the earliest days of Jesus’ life. Today’s gospel shows the fulfillment of the OT prophecies as well as a few NT prophecies. Our first reading from the prophet Malachi says, “And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek…But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears?” Luke describes Simeon as righteous and devout, grouping him with Abraham, Noah, and others in the Communion of Saints. He is an ordinary man, who likely represents the faithful Jews in Jerusalem, a city that was largely corrupt. The Holy Spirit was in him and told him he shall not see death before he sees the Christ. He is led by the Spirit to Jesus and there breaks out in prophetic song 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….” As the psalmist says, “Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!” There is an interesting contrast between the massive Temple doors and the baby Jesus entering in, yet not even the whole world could contain he who was in the beginning with God.

Simeon continues with his prophecy to Mary, saying, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted—and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” In other words, Christ will usher in a new kingdom—toppling those in power and causing others to take their place. As part of his ministry, Jesus establishes his Church and gives his disciples a share in his authority. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says to Simon: “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Mt. 16:18-19). A new order is here because of Christ. Indeed what Simeon said in the Temple has already been fulfilled.

Despite the rise and fall of many, Simeon prophecys Christ will be a sign which shall be contradicted. Not everyone will accept him. Instead they will contradict his teaching. Mary will also witness this, particularly during Jesus’ public ministry, and ultimately at the foot of the cross. There, she too will have her heart pierced as it appears her Son and his work has been defeated. But, we know the crucifixion is not the end for Jesus, rather, it is the means by which Jesus defeats the Devil. As St. Paul says, “that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.” We need not fear death because Christ has redeemed us all. What we should fear is ever offending God who has given us eternal life through his Son. And let us never forget the length to which Jesus went to accomplish this. “Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”

What about us? In the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “Subject us not to the final test.” Yet, how many of us feel the anxiety of our own testing? How often do we dwell on our own struggles rather than the many blessings we receive? Today is the halfway point between the winter solstice and the Spring equinox. The days are already getting longer, and this is another image of the light of Christ entering into the world. How might we let His light into our hearts today?