WE ARE THE LIGHT AND GLORY OF CHRIST

We are the light and glory of God (Christ) in the world of darkness. Today, we celebrate the feast of Christ, the 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) and the glory that shines upon God’s people: Israel. 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:

a.         Circumcision on Sabbath and name-giving.

b.         The Redemption of the Firstborn. Following the Jewish law in (Exodus 13:2)

c.         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, the 02nd of February is also a day of consecrated life. A feast set aside by the Holy Mother Church to celebrate and pray for her members: men and women who choose to live more intimate lives with Christ. Men and women who live more profoundly their baptismal commitment with the three evangelical counsels of Poverty, Obedience, and Chastity. 

The Vatican II document on religious life “DECREE ON THE ADAPTATION AND RENEWAL OF RELIGIOUS LIFE – PERFECTAE CARITATIS”, emphasises 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 Ghost Fathers and Brothers: Spiritans Missionaries worldwide. It is a triple celebration: 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).

THE LAST WORDS OF FRANCIS LIBERMANN ON HIS DEATHBED

“Se fervent, always fervent, and above charity, charity, charity above. Charity in Jesus Christ, charity through Jesus Christ, charity in the name of Jesus Christ. Fervour, charity, union in Jesus Christ. I am seeing you for the last time. I am happy to see you.  Sacrifice yourselves for Jesus, for Jesus alone. God is all; man is nothing. A spirit of sacrifice, zeal for the glory of God, the salvation of souls”.

A  French Jewish convert to Catholicism and 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 us 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.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD?

i.          Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple.

ii.         They meet Simeon and Anna, who recognize Jesus as the Saviour.

iii.       Simeon calls Jesus a “light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory of Israel”.

iv.        Anna, a prophetess, praises God and speaks to others about Jesus

v.         After fulfilling all requirements of the law, the child Jesus grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s favour was upon him.

SIMEON GIVES A KIND OF SUMMARY OF JESUS’ WORK AND FATE

a.         He will be the cause whereby many will fall. In other words, there is a judgment with Christ-if a man is confronted with kindness and loveliness, and his heart moves toward love he is within God’s Kingdom. However, if confronted he remains coldly unmoved or actively hostile, is he condemned.

b.         He will be the cause whereby many will rise.  Grace is Christ Jesus lifts a man out of old life and into new life, out of sin into goodness, and out of shame into glory.

c.         He will meet with much opposition- with Christ, there can be no neutrality. We either surrender or stand with him or we reject and are at war with him.

d.         He will not be alone in his suffering and pain, the heart of his Blessed Mother goes with him all through the sorrowful mystery.

e.         Finally, his pains and suffering will bring salvation, liberation and endless joy and peace to many who come to accept him as Lord and Saviour of the world.

THERE ARE IMPORTANT LESSONS HERE FOR US AS WE CELEBRATE THIS FEAST TODAY.

1.         The time we spend in God’s presence—in a Temple, a church, or another designated sacred space—is not enough

2.         We can also transmit God’s presence wherever and whenever we witness Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

3.         Like Simeon and Anna, we must be prepared to be enabled to reveal Christ to the world through our words and actions.

4.         We are encouraged to re-dedicate ourselves to God and to be purified and sanctified to be the light of Christ in the Lord.

5.         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 upon their lives and work.

6.         Today, holiness remains the greatest challenge of modern-day Christianity.

7.         This feast invites us not only to external celebrations of circumcision, purification, redemption, and presentation but also calls us to the internal renewal of Christian life and living.

May we like Simeon and Anna live in joyful hope and peace of the fulfilment of God’s promises in Christ Jesus.  While we await these promises may our hearts be set on fire with prayers, praises, thanksgivings and worship.

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 and make us worthy to be your light and glory amid the world. Amen