Today's feast is yet again another "feast of light" as we recall the early months of Jesus' life. Today the Church traditionally has blessed candles as a symbol of the light of Christ. Today we celebrate with light, a feast of Jesus and a feast of Mary; it is a feast of Simeon, it is our feast as well.
Mary carried the true light of the world to the temple: Jesus her son. The true light was received by Simeon in the temple - who was promised this privilege before God – promised the task of announcing Jesus as a "light to the gentiles and the glory of the people, Israel." And we on this day have been commissioned to carry the light of Christ to the world – so that all for whom Jesus would later suffer and die would know about him, so they could love him and his Father, and serve them by loving their neighbors.
Jesus "lighted" our humanity by taking it on; by taking on our flesh and blood. By living a perfect life, he made it possible for us to perfect our own – if we choose to. We must not ignore the divine help that God the Father took all the pains to provide for our safe passage through life.
May our lives in Christ enlighten our neighborhoods and our work places – there is no need for them to be in ignorance and darkness and hostility! No need at all!
Thank you Mary for presenting Jesus; thank you Simeon for receiving Jesus – help us to truly appreciate what happened on this day – and to act on that appreciation!
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