Presentation of the Lord (Feb 2, 2025)
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32)
Today, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, comes forty days after Christmas and is the official ending of the Christmas Season in the Church. It is called Candlemas day and candles are sometimes blest at Mass to celebrate the revealing of The Light of the World, Jesus, to his people and to the entire human race.
This one-month-old baby carries the mission from the Father to be the Light that reveals God in human flesh. And this light is mercy, it is love, it is forgiveness and peace. It is Jesus. This baby is the uncreated light in human flesh that fills all creation and holds it in existence. It is a light that is at once so strong that all that is bears its glory, and a light that is as gentle as a nursing mother.
Jesus is the light that dispels all darkness, as we will sing at Easter. He illumines the dark places of our hearts and will be a sign that is contradicted so that the thoughts of our hearts may be revealed to us and in us and in mercy, healed.
Since Jesus fills all creation, so also does his light. We are, each of us, Light-Bearers. Every person, every inch of the universe bears the light that is God. We are earthen vessels, yes, but within the clay of our human form is Light/Spirit and that is our true greatness because that is our essence, who we really are. And we are called to live the light of the Gospel, to reveal in the humbleness and the glory of our being, the Light that reveals God in human flesh. It’s as simple as an act of kindness, of understanding and openness. Of resting in the Light, God, in moments of prayer and silence. May this Feast of the Presentation open us more and more to the Yes to all that God asks of us to reveal his light, Jesus.