Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Today's feast is so important that it trumps the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Traditionally, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord was also known as Candlemas. One practice that has pertained to this day, no matter which day of the week it falls on, is the blessing of candles. This is to highlight what the old man Simeon, in his canticle, said of the infant Jesus: "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel" (Luke 2:32).

The introduction to the Rite of Blessing Candles found in the Roman Missal, provides this as part its explanation of Jesus's Presentation in the Temple: "Outwardly he was fulfilling the Law, but in reality he was coming to meet his believing people" (Roman Missal, Proper of Seasons, 2 February, The Presentation of the Lord, sec. 4).

At least for me, this prompts the question, who did Jesus meet on this occasion? He met Simeon, but he also met Anna. The inspired author of Luke's Gospel identifies Anna as "a prophetess" (Luke 2:36). It seems to me that she often is often short-shrifted or, more accurately, ignored altogether. It bears noting that Luke has Anna as the person who "spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). Unlike Simeon, what Anna said is not provided by the author.

I think there is a parallel between Anna and the women Luke has telling Jesus's other followers that he was risen (see Luke 24:1-12). In short, Anna was an evangelist. According to Luke's Gospel, she was the first one to tell others that Jesus is the Messiah and Savior.

Of course, Jesus's Presentation in the Temple is the third of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. The fruit of this mystery is obedience. Judging from its Latin root obdeire, obedience means to listen. It does not mean "unquestioningly do what you're told." The opening words of Saint Benedict's Rule enjoin: "Listen carefully, my child, to your master's precepts, and incline the ear of your heart" (Prov. 4:20).

The Light, Jesus Christ, shines through the one who has received it. At baptism, a candle, which is lit off the Paschal Candle, is handed to the newly baptized. In the case of infants, the lit candle is handed to a parent or godparent. The lit candle is given with these word: "Receive the light of Christ." In turn, these words are followed by an exhortation:

You have been enlightened by Christ.
Walk always as a child of the light
and keep the flame of faith
alive in your heart.
When the Lord comes,
may you go out to meet him
with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom

You are not enlightened merely for yourself. Christ enlightens you to go forth and love and serve others as he does. Anna grasped this and quickly! On this holy feast, I pray each of us might understand this too. You know, it's not that difficult most days to shine a little light wherever you go and on whomever might need it. It could be something as simple as a smile and friendly hello, to a phone call or text message to someone you know who is struggling a bit. On the other hand, maybe you can assist someone stranded alongside the roadside or buy someone who is hungry lunch. You know what? When you do this the light of Christ reflects right back on you. As Michael Card put it in his song "Distressing Disguise"-

Every time a faithful servant serves
A brother that's in need
What happens at that moment is a miracle indeed
As they look to one another in an instant it is clear
Only Jesus is visible, for they've both disappeared

So, go and tell others about Jesus, using words only when necessary and avoiding arguments.