JESUS’ PRESENCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

There once was a young boy who was as naughty as can be. He’d been transferred between different schools to get him any available formative interventions, but to no avail. Finally, his parents transferred him to a Catholic school, and lo and behold, on day one, the boy changed. His parents asked him, “why the sudden change in behavior?” He replied: “When I saw that man nailed on the cross on every wall of my new school, I knew they meant business, like always being told, ‘Behave or else…’” The presence of the crucified Christ changed the boy, although for a wrong reason. But if God is always before us or present in us would it mean a big difference on how do we do things?

In celebrating todays Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we are also celebrating two other occasions: The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Candelaria. The Purification of Our Lady, although she was not subject to the law of purification, she devoutly and with a zeal to honor God, obediently observes the prescribed Law of Moses ordaining that after childbirth a woman was declared unclean and was not to appear in public during the prescribed term of purification. This term was for 40 days following the birth of a son. When the term expired, the mother was to bring to the Temple an offering to God of a lamb and a young pigeon or turtle-dove. If the expense of a lamb was too great for a poor family, they were allowed to substitute a second dove. Such was the case for the Holy Family (Lk 2:24). These being sacrificed to God by the priest, she was cleansed of the legal impurity and reinstated in her former privileges.

In the image of Joseph and Mary presenting Jesus in the Temple, we have a wonderful model of husband and wife united together in practicing the faith and in raising their child in the faith. Together Jesus’ parents make the journey to Jerusalem to present their firstborn son according to the Law of Moses. This is the first time, Jesus enters the Temple, and His presence makes a difference, particularly on Simeon and Anna. Just look at Simeon, he was ready to die, not because of old age, but because of his encounter with the presence of Jesus, all his longings were satisfied, his life complete.

We also celebrate Feast of Candelaria. Candles are blessed on this day in commemoration of the words of Simeon concerning Christ. Simeon calls Jesus the Light and sings with joy: “Now my eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel,” (Lk 2:30-32). The candles are carried in procession, signifying the entry of Jesus as the light of the world. The light symbolized by the candles we use at Mass, particularly the Easter Candle, the Christmas candle and the Baptismal candle. All these candles represent the love, the warmth, and the joy of Christ. We too are called to be Christ’s candles. To be His presence that makes a difference in the world.