CHRIST IS OUR LIGHT
Today, we celebrate the feast of Christ light of the world, and the glory of Israel. Indeed, Christ is our light. We celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord forty days after we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Traditionally, this feast is also known as Candlemas Day (el dia de Candelaria) because the blessing and procession of candles are included in the Mass. Jesus Christ is the light of the nations, ‘the light to enlighten the pagans’ (Lk 2:32). That is why we have the blessing and procession of candles on this day.
In the feast of the Presentation, we see Jesus undergoing three ancient ceremonies which every Jewish boy had to undergo: Circumcision on Sabbath along with name-giving, the Redemption of the First-born. Following the Jewish law in (Exodus 13:2), and the Purification after Childbirth: when a woman had borne a child if it was a boy, she was unclean for forty days, if it was a girl, for eighty days.
THE DAY OF CONSECRATED LIFE
Equally, 02nd of February is also a day of the consecrated life. A feast set aside by the Holy Mother Church to celebrate and pray for members: men and women who choose to live more intimate life with Christ. Men and women who live more profoundly their baptismal commitment with the three evangelical counsels of Poverty, Obedience, and Chastity.
According to Vatican II document on religious life “DECREE ON THE ADAPTATION AND RENEWAL OF RELIGIOUS LIFE – PERFECTAE CARITATIS”, emphases strongly that religious life through community and fraternal living, prayer, service, and witness to the gospel of Christ “revealed to be a glory of the Church and a well-spring of heavenly graces”.
LIBERMANN´S DAY
In an additional way, for me and my religious congregation: the Holy Fathers and Brothers, the Spiritans Missionaries through the world it is a triple celebration for us. That is alongside with celebration of the feast of the presentation of our Lord and the day of consecrated life. It is the feast of one of our founders; Francis Mary Paul Libermann (14 April 1802 – 2 February 1852).
A French Jewish convert to Catholicism, and who became a member of the Spiritans missionaries. He is best known for founding the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which later merged with the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is often referred to as “The Second Founder of the Spiritans”. He was declared venerable in the Roman Catholic Church on 1 June 1876, by Pope Pius IX.
OUR THEME AND READINGS
The readings of the feast invite us to reflect on the mysteries of our faith: Christ the light, our purification and consecration to the Lord, and the manifestation of Christ: Hope of the nations to all.
The Prophet Malachi 3:1—4 assures us of God´s presence and sanctifying action that will purify His temple, his people, and everything relating to Him of all impurities and sins.
The Letter to the Hebrews 2:14—18 affirms how Christ our brother, friend, and High Priest of our faith through his sacrifice not only purifies us but saves from condemnation.
In the Gospel of Luke 2:22—40, God through the righteous and devout Simeon and prophetess Anna revealed Christ, the Light, Lord and Redeemer of his people and indeed all of us.
There are important lessons here for us as we celebrate this feast today.
1. The time we spend in God’s presence — in Temple or a church or another designated sacred space is not enough, We can also transmit God’s presence wherever and whenever we witness to Jesus Christ who is the light of the world.
2. Like Simeon and Anna, we must be prepared to be enabled to reveal Christ to the world through our words and actions.
3. We are encouraged to re-dedicate ourselves to God and to be purified and sanctified to be the light of Christ in the Lord.
4. Today’s feast invites all families to learn the value of giving thanks to God for the gift of children and to seek his blessing on their lives and work.
5. Today, the challenge of holiness remains the greatest challenge of modern-day Christianity. This feast invites us not only to external celebrations of circumcision, purification, redemption, and presentation, but it also calls us to the internal renewal of Christian life and living.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Salvation prepared for all the nations, a Light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel. Sanctify us and make us worthy to be your light amid the world. Amen
