Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Also known as Candlemas, this is the day when candles will be blessed. There will be three readings today. In the first reading from Malachi 3, God says through the prophet, “And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.” Then in the second reading from Hebrews 2, it says, “He had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way.”
The Gospel reading today is from Luke 2, where St. Luke recounts this momentous event. This took place 40 days after the birth of a child. After giving birth, a mother had to go through a 40-day purification, after which they would present their child in the temple, dedicating him to God. Candles are blessed today to symbolize the words of Simeon in the Gospel reading, that Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”
Simeon was an old man, and God had promised that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ. Upon seeing the baby Jesus, he knew immediately that this was the One. Be sure to read the words of Simeon. This is always a wonderful lesson to me about God’s faithfulness. God made a promise to Simeon. And He delivered. Because He is always faithful. He was to Simeon, and He is to you.
Father, thank you for your faithfulness. Help us to remain faithful to you, as you are always faithful to us. Amen.
The Presentation is the Fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. Learn more about the Rosary in A Minute in the Church: Life in Christ, available at www.GusLloyd.com.
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