The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is one of the major feasts in the church year. It is also known as Candlemas or the Feast of the Purification, and is celebrated forty days after Christmas and commemorates the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary in the Jerusalem temple. What does this feast signify? It teaches us a few things:
Firstly, this feast reminds us of the Consecration of the Lord. Joseph and Mary took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. It was an act of consecration, to acknowledge and to thank the Lord for the gift of life, and to dedicate the child’s whole life to God. According to ancient Jewish tradition, every firstborn male, whether a son or an animal, belongs to God. In the case of the firstborn son, he must be ransomed or bought back. This custom is to remind the Isrealites that God delivered them from slavery by slaying every firstborn Egyptian male. Jesus is the firstborn male child of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and so He was consecrated to God and “ransomed” as required by the custom. Also, this feast reminds us of the purification of the mother in Jewish law. This was purification from ritual uncleanness after childbirth. Though Our Lady did not need this purification because she was a virgin before, during and after the birth of Jesus, she underwent it anyway to fulfil the law. In a way, when we were baptised, we too were consecrated and dedicated to God.
Secondly, this feast reminds us that Jesus is the light of all nations. We celebrate this feast of the Candlemas (a Mass with Candles) to remind us that Jesus is the light that has come into this world to give us light. Simeon in today’s Gospel said that Jesus is “the light for revelation to the Gentiles.” Jesus is the light that the world needs, as the world is enveloped with darkness. Just as Jesus is the light of all nations, we too are called by Jesus to be lights to others, by our personal example, as well as through our good words and deeds.
Thirdly, this feast reminds us that Jesus is a sign of contradiction. Simeon also prophesied that Jesus is a “sign that will be contradicted” or a sign that will be opposed. Throughout His ministry, Jesus met much opposition from the leaders of Israel. Such opposition lead to persecution and ultimately, his death. Likewise, we too should be prepared to be a sign of contradiction to the ways of the world, and be prepared to face opposition, persecution and even death.
The world today is faced with all sorts of fear and hopelessness. May we radiate the light of hope that comes from Jesus. May our lives serve as a candle that shares the light of hope that comes from Jesus Christ to others. May we also present ourselves to God, and diligently, persistently, and consistently be a sign of contradiction to the ways of the world, and do our part in preaching the ways of Christ. In all our efforts, may we give God the glory.