The Presentation of our Lord
to the Temple
Our Gospel is called the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple and also called Purification of Mary. To us Filipinos, this is popularly called “Candelaria” (Candlemas).
In the text, Mary is presented as bearer of the light. She is not the one true light, but a person given by God a choice to bear the long expected Light to the Gentiles, the consolation of Israel and its glory; the redemption of Jerusalem.
Like Anna and Simeon, who testified to the coming of the one True Light, may we also learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life, so that other’s may see the light of God in Jesus, May we be that light of hope, that light of goodness in the midst of our darkness today. May we be that light that testifies to the reality of the One True Light against all forces of destruction and death. It is through these things that we became witnesses of the reality of God’s light of love and truth to others.
It is in giving this kind of light to others that we find the deepest significance of God’s precious gift of life to us in Jesus.
