Candlemas (Feast of the Presentation of the Lord) • Today we celebrate Candlemas, the final feast day of the Christmas season. Mary received God's gift, helped to grow this gift, and now gives him back to God.
This is what parents do when they have a child Baptized. They give their child back to God. The parents are given a lit candle and told: "Receive the light of Christ. Parents and godparents, this light has been entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly, so that you child, enlightened by Christ, may walk always as a child of the light, and persevering in the faith, may run to meet the Lord when he comes with all the saints in the heavenly court."
They love their children so much that they want them to live forever. The light of faith has to be carried, nourished, and protected so that it can grow brighter and carry us to heaven. All of us are called to light the world by burning with the sacrificial love of Jesus.
(2 Feb 2025)
Going Deeper: Do you know someone who shines with the light of Christ? Read and reflect on Fr. Joel's poem, "A Swedish Candle."
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