The Presentation of the Lord

On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which we celebrated on Monday, there is a tradition of blessing candles to be used throughout the year. Also called Candlemas, prior to the Second Vatican Council this marked the end of the Christmas season and at one time also marked the end of the Christian liturgical year. The blessing of the candles can be dated back to at least the 10th century where we have a formula that was used in the blessing. The blessing of candles and the procession into the church, which is a common part of the right commemorates Christ being brought into the Temple at the presentation. It symbolizes the Light of the World illuminating the darkness and the coming of Christ into our lives. The blessed candles are to be used in our homes, especially for religious purposes to remind us of the Light of Christ both in our lives and within us.

There are two prayers which express this symbolism: "Almighty Father, whose Son Jesus Christ was presented in the Temple and acclaimed the light of the nations: grant that in him we may be presented to you and in the world may reflect his glory." This prayer focuses on Christ as the light coming into the world and that in his presentation we are presented to God as well.

Simeon calls Jesus "a light to enlighten the Gentiles...The warm candlelight is meant to be a tangible reminder of that greater light which, for and beyond all time, radiates from the figure of Jesus. We are reminded of the need to be prepared to burn brightly ourselves in the midst of this dark world. We take a light away this morning, it is not our own light, no light of our own would be bright enough, rather it is the light of Christ."

 

I think this best expresses the focus of Candlemas: recognizing the Light of Christ in our world, his illuminating the darkness of sin in our world and our mission to bring that light into the world and into our lives. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 20:07 | link | comments |
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