Happy Candlemas!

The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought Him to those who lay in darkness. We, too, should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of true light as we hasten to meet Him. ~Saint Sophronius

Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace

Your word has been fulfilled.

My eyes have seen the salvation you have prepared in the sight of every people,

A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people, Israel. (Luke 2:22-40)

This morning, I understood for the first time why the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord is also called “Candlemas.” Our priest explained that just as we call the Feast of the Nativity “Christmas,” we call this feast “Candlemas” – he even had all of us process into Mass with lit candles, and explained that in years past, families used to bring their own candles to church on this day. He went on to remind us that while we take light for granted today because we live in a world of reliable electricity, it used to be that Christians understood all too well the imagery of darkness and light. The words “Christ is the light of the world” held real power for them!

On this great feast day, let us try to imagine what our lives would be like without Christ as our light. What would it be like to live in darkness, without Christ to light the way?

Mary, Mother of Our Savior, pray for us!