The Church celebrates on this date every year "The Presentation of the Lord", which is also called Candlemas, because the pure beeswax candles used for worship are blessed on this day. I wanted to share this quote from Luke 2: 22 which is the Gospel reading for this day (quoted from the Magnificat).
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".
The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, " 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."
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Pope Benedict XVI had some commentary on this special feast day which I am quoting directly out of the Magnificat, vol 13, no.12 February, 2012.
"On today's feast we contemplate the Lord Jesus, whom Mary and Joseph bring to the Temple " to present him to the Lord". (Luke 2:22). This Gospel scene reveals the mystery of the Son of the Virgin, the consecrated One of the Father who came into the world to do his will faithfully. (Heb 10: 5-7)
Simeon identifies him as " a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:35) and announces with prophetic words his supreme offering to God and his final victory. (Luke 2: 32-35). This is the meeting point of the two Testaments, Old and New. Jesus enters the ancient temple of God: he comes to visit his people, thus bringing to fulfillment obedience to the Law and ushering in the last times of salvation.
It is interesting to take a close look at this entrance of the Child Jesus into the solemnity of the Temple, in the great comings and goings of many people, busy with their work: priests and Levites taking turns to be on duty, the numerous devout people and pilgrims anxious to encounter the Holy God of Israel. Yet none of them noticed anything. Jesus was a child like the others, a first-born son of very simple parents.
Even the priests proved incapable of recognizing the signs of the new and special presence of the Messiah and Savior. Alone two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, discover this great newness. Led by the Holy Spirit, in this Child they find the fulfillment of their long waiting and watchfulness. They both contemplate the light of God that comes to illuminate the world and their prophetic gaze is opened to the future in the proclamation of the Messiah: " Lumen ad revelationem gentium!" (Luke 2:32). The prophetic attitude of the two elderly people contains the entire Old Covenant which expresses the joy of the encounter with the Redeemer. Upon seeing the Child, Simeon and Anna understood that he was the Awaited One."
Our new grandson has also been awaited and watched for! Grow in age and grace and wisdom, Hank. As we thank God for the great gift of your life, we also pray for all couples struggling to become parents and beg God for his blessings to be upon them.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
