The Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas)

February 2^nd, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. In obedience to the Law of Moses, which stipulates that every first-born son must be consecrated to the Lord (Exodus 12:2,12), Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus to the Temple (Lk 2:22). Normally this ritual took place forty days after birth. Hence, this scripture-based feast is celebrated forty days after Christmas.

After his ritual presentation, the first born son legally belonged to the Lord. But parents could redeem their child by offering a lamb, or in the case of the poor, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons (Leviticus 12:8). As St. Luke tells us, Mary and Joseph chose the second option (Lk 2:24).

Catholics have always seen a powerful connection between Christ's formal presentation in the Temple and his death on the cross. In the Temple Jesus was offered ritually. On Good Friday ritual became reality. Jesus offered his life to the Father, on the altar of the cross.

You and I become one with the sacrifice of Jesus each time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist. United with him, in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood, we are lifted up to the Father. Through him, and with him, and in him, we are presented as a sacrificial gift to God.

Jesus was welcomed into the Temple by a righteous and devout man named Simeon. Alive in the Spirit, Simeon saw something in Jesus that others didn't see. He saw the fulfillment of God's promises. He recognized Jesus as the promised Redeemer of the world. In the Spirit, Simeon acclaimed Jesus as a light for revelation to the Gentiles (Lk 2:32).

In commemoration of those prophetic words, the Church traditionally blesses candles on the Feast of the Presentation. In fact Catholics sometimes refer to this feast as Candlemas Day. In many parishes the candles given to the newly baptized are solemnly blessed. They remind us of our baptismal call to walk always as children of the light.

The prophetic words of Simeon, and the blessing of candles, also remind us that there is nothing private about our Catholic Faith or the Gospel message. We are a people sent out to be light for the world and salt for the earth.  By our words, and by our actions, we reveal the face of Jesus Christ to all who seek God.