This feast concludes the Nativity celebration; and with offerings of the Virgin Mother and prophecy of Simeon, events now tend towards Easter. Popularly known as ‘Candelaria’. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1468)
Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple
“They carried Him to Jerusalem to present to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord.” (cf Lk 2:23)
This law obliged parents to submit to the purification; and their firstborn son to be redeemed in gratitude that the angel had “passed over” the firstborn of the Hebrews when he struck dead those of the Egyptians.
Mary’s offering of her Son was infinitely more perfect than that of other mothers. The latter’s presentation and redemption was just a legal ceremony. Mary’s offering of her beloved Child to the Lord was real and who one day will be sacrificed for the redemption of the world. She spent the day in fervent recollection, prayer, and good works.
Simeon, a righteous and devout man, led by the Holy Spirit, took the Child into his arms saying: “Now, my Lord, you can let your servant go from this world in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the Saviour.” (cf Lk 2:29-30)
Simeon blessed the parents then said to Mary, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed; and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (cf Lk 2:34-5)
Jesus willed that His whole mortal life, including His tenderest infancy, should be a continual offering of Himself: an endless act of love. We can resolve now to love and serve him more devotedly.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp36-8
Jesus Christ, sign of contradiction
Jesus brings salvation to all people. However, “for some he is a sign of contradiction. The times in which we are living provide particularly strong confirmation of what Simeon said: Jesus is both the light that shines for mankind and a sign of contradiction. ... Jesus Christ is once again revealing himself as the light of the world.” (cf K Wojtyla, “Sign of Contradiction”, p198)
Simeon’s message of warning to Mary establishes a link between the future of both the mother and the Son. “With the old man’s words in mind we, too turn our gaze from the Son to the Mother, from Jesus to Mary. The mystery of this bond which unites her with Christ, the Christ who is a ‘sign of contradiction’ is truly amazing.” (cf K Wojtyla, “Sign of Contradiction”, p201)
At the ‘Presentation’, Mary learns that her destiny is united to her Son’s. The sword Simeon speaks of is her sharing in the sufferings of her Son on the Cross for our sins. Mary’s sufferings are also caused by our sins. “Therefore, we have a duty to atone not only to God but also to his Mother, who is our Mother, too.” (cf “The Navarre Bible”, note to Lk 2:34-5)
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:91-2
The light of the Cross
St Bernard refers to a long-standing tradition of mounting a procession of candles in Church. (cf “Journey of the Virgin of Egeria”, Madrid 1980; A G Martimort, “The Church at Prayer”, Barcelona, 1986)
“Today the Virgin Mary brought to the Temple the Lord of the Temple. Joseph presents to God his adopted son, the Beloved One. Anna the widow joins in with words of thanksgiving. These four people performed the first procession, a joyful procession which will be continued throughout time in every corner of the earth.” (cf St Bernard, “Homily on the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary”, I, 1)
The procession of candles symbolizes how the life of each Christian should give light to others. Christ is the Light of the world. ‘Light’ as a word is often used to signify ‘life’ and ‘truth’. The absence of light suggests solitude, doubt, error.
Christ is the ‘Life’ of the world and of every person, the ‘Light’ that shows the way, the ‘Truth’ that saves, the ‘Love’ that fulfils.
Mary listened to Simeon’s prophecy with the same recollection that she received the words of St Gabriel and the shepherds. The Child she held in her arms was the ‘Light’ sent by God the Father, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (Lk 2:32).
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:90, 92
The virtues Mary practised in her purification
‘Obedience’: On the 40th day after the birth of Jesus, Mary went to the Temple to be purified from the legal stain. She was exempt, having conceived by operation of the Holy Spirit; and remained a virgin. Mary submitted to it from love of the law, and to avoid giving scandal to her neighbors who were ignorant of the great mystery worked in her favor.
‘Humility’: In submitting, Mary consented to lose the prestige of one of her great privileges -- the glory of her virginity by being among the other women. But Mary delighted in humiliations. God knew her virginal purity, and that sufficed. Judgments of men least bother her.
‘Spirit of poverty’: The law of purification required an offering, through the priest, of a year-old lamb, a dove or at least two young pigeons. The rich offered the former. Perhaps Mary, with the gold the Magi had brought, could have made the offering of the rich; but for love of humility she offered two young pigeons.
Where did she learn to esteem voluntary poverty? Doubtless from her Divine Son, who chose to be born in a stable. Like Mary, let us always remember the King of heaven and earth becoming poor for our sakes.
Let us pray about the value of Mary’s offering in the temple. If we learn to join our poor offerings to Christ’s on the Cross, they will acquire an inestimable value.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp34-6
Recovery
“To have a Catholic spirit means that we should feel on our shoulders the weight of our concern for the entire Church -- not just this or that particular part of it. This means our prayer should spread out north and south, east and west, in a generous act of petition.
“If you do this you will understand the cry -- the aspiration -- of that friend of yours, when he considered how unloving so many people are towards our Holy Mother: ‘The Church: it hurts me to see her treated so!’”
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 583
• Candlemass or Purification of Our Lady. This feast was instituted in the year 544, under the Emperor Justinian, on occasion of the plague which ravaged Constantinople, where there often died ten-thousand persons in a single day. In the year 701, Pope Sergius added to this feast the ceremony of solemnly blessing candles. — Baroninu Annals ann. 544. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Purification of the Blessed Virgin (also known as Candlemas). After spending 40 days in seclusion, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple. In Puerto Rico, "Dia de la candelaria" (Day of Our Lady of Fire). Also known as “Presentation” (Orthodox). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Purification of Our Lady: First celebrated in 544. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Purification of the Blessed Virgin. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
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