The Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph brought the Infant Jesus to the Jerusalem temple
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2, 2022): MAL 3:1-4, PS 24:7,8,9,10; HEB 2:14-18; LK 2:22-40
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Throughout our lives we must seek to keep the light of our Lord and Savior burning.
The Church’s tradition of honoring the Presentation of the Lord is an old one, perhaps seventeen hundred years. Through it we witness the fidelity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph in bringing Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. “When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord” (Luke 2:22-24). This feast also marks the purification of Mary that would also have been necessary after Jesus’ birth. While Christ is Himself the fulfillment of the Law, God wanted Him and His family to obey every rule that was required of the Jewish people who were so precious to Him. They acted out of faith and love in serving God in all things and in offering good example in every way possible.
This feast has also been called Candlemas, since priests bless candles for the use of churches as well as for the parishioners. This Blessing of the Candles is frequently celebrated before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and sometimes includes a procession. One of the prayers said reminds us that, as Simeon said, Christ is the light of revelation to the Gentiles. It asks God to sanctify the candles “which we are eager to carry in praise of Your name, so that, treading the path of virtue, we may reach that light which never fails.” Throughout our lives we must seek to keep the light of our Lord and Savior burning. Like the Holy Family, we need to embrace God’s will and God’s grace in ways large and small.
Suggested missionary action: Today or the next time we are in church, let us light a candle, asking Christ to guide us always and to bring us through whatever darkness we experience in our lives. Particularly, in these short days of winter, we need to remember the Light of the world.
