Candlemas

The light of a hundred candles filled the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception as we gathered to celebrate the Presentation of our Lord in the temple. “A light of revelation to the gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel”: the choir chanted this ancient acclamation, which the wizened prophet Simeon had uttered two thousand years ago as he took the child Jesus in his arms. In this great liturgy of Candlemas, we recall that great event which Hosea the prophet foretold: “and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in.” We remember that our faith is not one simply of ideas or concepts. It is real. Christ was presented in the temple at Jerusalem forty days after his birth in Bethlehem, and as Mary and Joseph brought him into the temple, the prophets Simeon and Anna witnessed to all who would listen that the Messiah had come at last. We heed their message even today and recognize in Christ the light of all the nations.