Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Candlemas


            Saturday, February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.  At the 9:30am Mass there will be a blessing of candles.  This day celebrates when Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to the temple 40 days after his birth to make an offering for the Purification of Mary.  At the Temple, they meet Simeon, a man who has been “awaiting the consolation of Israel,” for the Holy Spirit had revealed to him “that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.”  Upon seeing the child with his parents, Simeon takes Jesus into his arms and says, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:  a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”  The children are familiar with this passage in the Bible from reading and reflecting on it in all 3 Atria. 

            In the Middle Ages this feast became known as Candlemas.  The words of Simeon, “a light for the revelation of the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” reminds us of Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John:  “I am the light” (Jn 8:12).  It is customary on this day to bring candles that you will light throughout the year in your home, to the church to be blessed.  I invite you and your family to join us for this occasion.  I will have a basket of candles which will be used in each of our Atria to be blessed and would love to have children who will hold the baskets from the different Atria.  I also encourage you to bring your own candles to be blessed.  The Mass begins at 9:30am.  Please let me know if your child would be interested in serving at this Mass, or would like to help hold the baskets of candles for the Atria. 

Peace,
Katy 

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