Homily: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Luke 2:22ff) “Bathed in Light”

I remember serving Mass when I was a boy on the Feast of the Presentation. Our Pastor would bring out all the boxes of candles from the sacristy and put them in the sanctuary. During the daily Mass he would bless the candles. These were all the candles that we were going to use at the liturgies for the upcoming year. I was greatly impressed by this. Whenever I would light the candles as an altar server, I would remember the blessing on what was called Candlemas day.

I would also remember it when I would light a vigil light. When we had Easter vigil and carried candles in procession, and we would light the Paschal candle, I would also recall how all these candles were blessed.

This was probably an even more powerful sign before there were electric lights and candles were the only source of light in the church. The light of the candles dispelled the darkness especially this time of year when the church can be so cold and dim in the morning.

When we are baptized, the minister lights a candle off the Easter candle, and we are handed a lit candle. We are reminded that to be ignorant of Christ is to walk in darkness. We have trouble finding our way. When we receive the light of Christ we can see more clearly.

A candle is a better symbol than a flashlight. A lit candle does not shine a beam of light in one spot, but it sends light out in all directions. This is reassuring.

The other thing about carrying a candle is that we probably only see what our next step is going to be. But in a way that is good enough. Life is about taking one step at a time. We do not usually take great leaps forward, but we just take one step after another. We don’t know what is coming but we only see what is happening today.

If we have that kind of faith, we will be more patient. We will also be more trusting in divine providence. The next time you light a candle, remember how the light of Christ guides your life.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do I like candlelight? What is spiritual about it?

2.   Am I satisfied just discerning the next step in life? If not, why not?

 Dear Parishioners,

          This weekend we will bless throats at all the Masses in remembrance of St. Blaise. Our health is a product of how we physically take care of ourselves, how we mentally take care of ourselves and how we spiritually take care of ourselves. If one of these aspects of our life is out of kilter, we will not be well.

          The St. Blaise Day blessing says, “May we be preserved from illnesses of the throat and from every other evil.” It is not just a blessing to ward off the flu, but it is a blessing asking that we be healthy in every way.

          May Our Lady pray for our troubled world today,

          Fr. Mark