The Gospel of Luke 2:22-40
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed– and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Let us Pray:
O God, source and origin of all light,
who on this day showed to the just man Simeon
the Light for revelation to the Gentiles,
we humbly ask that,
in answer to your people’s prayers,
you may be pleased to sanctify with your blessing our candles,
which we are eager to light in praise of your name,
so that, treading the path of virtue,
we may reach that light which never fails.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen
The Feast of the Presentation is a story of Faith.
The Celebration of Candlemas is a feast of Light.
This passage highlights the fulfillment of God’s promises and the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah by those who are faithful and devout. It underscores the themes of revelation, salvation, and the inclusivity of God’s salvation plan, as Simeon notes that Jesus will be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”
We can consider the importance of faith, patience, and recognition of God’s work in our lives. Simeon and Anna both waited many years for the fulfillment of God’s promise, and their stories remind us to trust in God’s timing and to remain steadfast in our devotion.
When Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, as was the custom according to Jewish law. This act signifies their obedience to God’s commandments and their devotion to raising Jesus in accordance with their faith.
As an example of true faith, Simeon, a righteous and devout man, had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. When he sees Jesus, he recognizes Him as the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Anna, a widow and prophetess, spends her days worshiping in the temple. When she sees Jesus, she too recognizes Him as the Redeemer and speaks about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Simeon notes that Jesus will be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles. This tells us to why we celebrate Candlemas. Candlemas marks the end of the Christmas season; it embodies peace and hope for the future. It sits in the Church’s year still just connected to Christmas and rather sadly looking forward to the months that lie ahead to what is left of winter and then Spring and the beginning of Lent. Candlemas is a time of transition from darkness to light.
This is why Candlemas is so special for us right now. It invites us to encounter Christ in the familiarity of the present moment. The encounter that takes place between Simeon, Anna and the young couple is an intensely rewarding moment. This period of time highlighted by Candlemas and the presentation provides an excellent time to be thinking about the Church and its life in the future. Since it is in this present moment that God chooses to manifest himself to two faithful church people in the temple building, as he might have chosen to do to any one of us in one of our churches in a way that is perfectly ordinary and normal. But the feast of Candlemas also reminds us of what it is we are called to be, and to continually become, as the light of Christ. We are called to be people who rejoice together in God’s faithfulness to his promise to us in Jesus.
Let us Pray:
Lord God, source and origin of all light, who on this day showed to the just man Simeon the Light for revelation to the Gentiles, we humbly ask that, in answer to your people’s prayers, you may be pleased to sanctify with your blessing all the candles in our churches and homes, which we are eager to light in praise of Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 