Candlemas
This Saturday is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – don’t let’s get distracted by some furry beast in Punxsutawney. It’s easy to overlook this feast, falling on a Saturday with Ash Wednesday coming soon.
In our current liturgical calendar, Christmas ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, but it used to encompass all 40 days until February 2, when it was also known as the Feast of the Purification of Our Lady. I like the really archaic titles – back in the Middle Ages, when time was marked by days with poetic names like Michaelmas and Martinmas, it was known as Candlemas. On this day, candles were blessed to bring home, reminding us of Simeon’s prophecy that “He shall be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people, Israel.”
There are three mysteries here on which to meditate:
~ Purification of Mary – According to the Book of Leviticus, “The priest shall make atonement for her sin, and thus she will be made clean.” We know that Mary had no objective need of purification, as she remained a virgin before, during, and after childbirth. But just as she refused to see herself beyond any service because she was carrying the Messiah in her womb, she now does not see herself beyond the law, even though she has not been “defiled” according to it. Her profound humility compels her to observe the letter of the law.
~ Presentation of Jesus – Several prophets had foretold that the Temple’s greates glory would be the day the Messiah appeared within it and revealed Himself. One of the beautiful Antiphons in the Liturgy of the Hours for this feast says, “Zion, prepare your wedding chamber to receive Christ the King.” God has become one with humanity, and his bride must be prepared to welcome Him. Today, Jesus enters His Father’s house for the first time.
According to the Law, every firstborn son was “holy to the Lord” and was to be brought to the Temple and “redeemed” with an offering (see Exodus 13:11ff). Again, Jesus had no objective need of being redeemed; He IS the Redeemer. Yet Joseph and Mary are obedient to the Law, and receive the prophetic word and confirmation of Simeon. This presentation of Christ is aligned with the Offertory of the Mass: the offering of the future Victim. We are to offer ourselves with Him. Today, the Lamb of God is offered wholly to the Father; 33 years later, this offering will be completed – the Covenant consummated – by His death, which is aligned with the Consecration and elevation of the Mass.
~ Simeon’s Prophecy – Simeon and Anna, two devout and aging souls, have spent long years praying and yearning for the coming of the Messiah; today they are given the grace to recognize Him in the arms of the poor parents offering turtledoves as a sin-offering. Simeon foretells the sword that will pierce the Mother’s heart; a sword that will open her heart to all of ours! His Nunc Dimittus is part of the Church’s Night Prayer:
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.
This Light is ours. Like Simeon, we hold Christ in our arms, as it were, in faith, in grace, in Word, and in the sacraments. He is ours always, and candles remind us of this Light.
