February 2, 2020

Although the Christmas season formally ended last month, this beautiful feast is the farthest extension of it. In the early centuries, it was originally known as the Presentation of the Lord.

Being observant Jews, the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph, in humility and obedience, went in accord with Mosaic law to the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate the first-born son that opens the womb to the Lord (Exodus 13:2), and to purify the mother forty days after childbirth (Leviticus 12:2-8), although the immaculately conceived Mother of God did not need purifying.

Sometime around the middle of the 5th century, the feast became known as the Purification. The blessing of the candles during this feast can be traced back to the 11th century, giving the feast the common English name of “Candlemas” Day because of the candles carried in procession during this Mass. In 1969, the Church returned to Her original title for this liturgical celebration.

As Malachi prophesied: “Suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek” (cf Malachi 3:1). This was Christ’s first appearance in the Temple. But, we know well, it was not His last.

Besides the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary, this feast is also a celebration of the meeting of old Simeon and Anna with the Messiah and His parents. And, it is known in the Greek church as the Hypapanti, or meeting.

In this Gospel depiction, holy Simeon confesses the Lord to be a “Light of Revelation to the Gentiles”, the “Glory of His people Israel” (prayed as the Nunc Dimittis by the Church during Night Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours) and holy Anna points to Him as the “redemption of Jerusalem” (cf Luke 2:22-38). But, Christ goes unrecognized among the priests and people of the temple because their faith was not strong. And, it is in faith that we see and know the Lord. He does not hide himself from those who seek him with fervor, humility, and ardent love. Thus, we must inculcate these dispositions in ourselves, and those whom God has given to us.

Let us pattern ourselves, then, on Our Blessed Mother’s obedi-ence, humility, adoration and thanksgiving in following the exam-ple of her Son, whose food was to do the Father’s will. As Jesus said to Saint Teresa of Calcutta, “Come, be my Light.” In imitation of Christ, then, we are charged to be a light to the nations. Let us pray that it will be so for us this year as never before.

Estler, Liz. Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. 2 Feb. 2019, spiritualdirection.com/2019/02/02/feast-of-the-presentation-of-the-lord-in-the- temple. Accessed 27 Jan. 2020.