Among the many other activities today, (e.g., Super Bowl) this Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas).
    It’s 40 days since Christmas.  All those Christmas decorations we have long since taken down can now OFFICIALLY be put away.  But for Jesus and his family, this day had greater significance, a significance we have an opportunity to richly embrace this Sunday.  In the time of Jesus, the 40th day after the birth of a first born son marked an important event.  A family was called to present that child in the temple with an offering (in this case, two turtle doves) in thanksgiving for that child.  On that 40th day, the mother of the child became ritually pure and thus able to visit the temple to present this gift.  It is suggested that this tradition was, in part, a remembering of the first Passover when God “passed over the firstborn of Israel.”  
    The story is given to us in the Gospel of Luke, and in it we encounter two additional very special people who give witness to the importance of this child to the world.  Anna is a widow, 84 years of age, who has spent every day of her life in the temple praying and fasting.  Simeon is a very holy man who has been waiting to see the promised Messiah who would save his people, Israel.  It is their actions and testimony that are important.  Anna takes the child into her arms and gives thanks to God for him.  Simeon also takes Jesus into his arms and prays, “Now, Master, let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise.  My own eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples, a light to bring the Gentiles from darkness and glory for your people Israel.”  His prayer has become the traditional Gospel canticle of Night Prayer, spoken at the end of each day as part of the Liturgy of the Hours.  It is this “light” that we celebrate as we bless and light candles this weekend.    
     As with the candles we receive at our Baptism, the light of Christ entrusted to us to be kept burning brightly, may these candles remind us to keep Christ’s light burning in our hearts and to bring that light to the world around us.  May each and every candle we see remind us to bring Christ’s light to others as true disciples of the Lord.
                                          Susan Lee Olsen, Director of Catechetical Ministry