Monday, February 2, 2026

 

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)

Throughout the Old Testament the People of God long to see God’s face.  Psalm 27 expresses the desire pointedly: “’Come,’ says my heart, ‘seek God’s face’; your face, Lord, do I seek!” (Psalm 27:8) Good people realize that in the Lord’s presence there is not only beauty but safety and happiness.  In short, in seeing God’s face, one experiences salvation.

In today’s gospel Simeon encompasses this longing.  A seer above all, he has been promised sight of God’s face.  He might have expected that the countenance of God would be that of a wise person full of trial, strength and compassion.  However, like Samuel when he is presented with David for anointing, Simeon is surprised by the face of an infant.  But he has no doubts.  Upon seeing the Christ-child, he breaks into song: “’Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation ….”

The Church sings Simeon’s Canticle at Night Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.  It assures us that Christ not only lights our way through this world but becomes our focus in the next.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

 (Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)

 Today’s feast is formally called the “Presentation of the Lord.” More traditionally it is known as “Candlemas Day.”  For centuries on this day churches blessed all the candles that they would use during the year.  The inspiration for this grand event is Simeon’s declaration in today’s gospel. Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”  He fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of world unity and peace through Israel.

Jesus is the flame – light and heat in a cold, dark world -- but not the whole candle.  The trunk of the candle -- its wax -- is humanity.  Like wax humans have fat -- their pride, greed, hatred, and lust – which is to be burned away.  Jesus, who may be compared to the refiner’s fire of the first reading, rids us of these vices.  Doing so, he allows us to participate in his illumination of the world.  With our lives so chastened, we are rendered sincere.  This word coming from two Latin words, sine cerum, meaning “without wax.” 

 Let us be sincere to all by leaving behind our vices.   Instead of pursuing pride and lust, let us follow Jesus, the light of the world.

 

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)

Although many Catholics take very seriously the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, others are quite nonchalant about it. Some of the latter would not hesitate to receive Communion after negligently missing Sunday Mass perhaps because they are unaware of its mandatory status. Luke’s gospel provides everyone food for consideration on the matter.

Today’s passage features Jesus entering the Temple for the first time. Of course, he isn’t attending Mass there, but he is giving worship. The gospel shows him in the Temple again when he is twelve and finally at the end of his sojourn when he enters Jerusalem to confront the evil powers. In all cases Jesus is at home there; indeed, he calls it “my Father’s house” (2:49).

As Jesus goes regularly to the Temple, we attend Mass in church on Sunday. Doing so once a week on the Lord’s Day as the Church commands makes a healthy rhythm. As Simeon claims in the passage, Jesus is the light. He illumines the way to real happiness in a world full of deceptive distractions. Unless we regularly receive the orientation we need from him, we are likely to lose our way.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)

We call today’s feast the “Presentation of the Lord,” but traditionally it has been known as “Candlemas Day.” For centuries on this day churches blessed all the candles that they would use in the course of the year. The inspiration for this grand dedication is Simeon’s declaration in today’s gospel that the baby Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” He is the Israelite through whom Isaiah’s vision of world unity and peace will be fulfilled.

Jesus is the flame – light and heat in a cold, dark world, but he is not the whole candle. The trunk of the candle, its wax, is humanity. Like wax humans have fat -- their pride, greed, hatred, and lust -- to be burned away. Jesus, the consuming fire, rids us of these vices as he allows us to participate in his illumination. With our lives so chastened, we are rendered sincere – a word coming from two Latin words meaning “without wax.”

Homilette for Monday, February 2, 2009

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)

We call today’s feast “the Presentation of the Lord,” but traditionally it was known as “Candlemas Day.” For centuries on this day churches blessed all the candles that they would use in the course of the year. The motive for this grand dedication is Simeon’s declaration in today’s gospel that Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” He will be the Israelite through whom Isaiah’s vision of world unity and peace is fulfilled.

Jesus is light, fire, and flame, but not the whole candle. The wax of the candle is humanity. Like wax we have much fat to be burned away. We can equate the fat with our pride, greed, and lust. Jesus like a fire burning wax takes away these sins so that we might participate in his illumination. With our vices consumed, we are rendered sincere – a word coming from two Latin words meaning “without wax.”

We can think of Christ igniting us especially when we partake of the Eucharist. His words move us to repentance and his body and blood sanctify us to testify to his glory in the world. We do this by words and, perhaps more effectively, by lives of sincere service.