THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
Mal. 3:1-4; Ps 24
Heb. 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40
JESUS OUR LIGHT AND FULFILMENT
Today’s feast is inspired by the gospel account from Luke where we see Mary and Joseph bringing the baby Jesus into the Temple to be presented to the Lord according to the Law of Moses.
It is also a celebration of Jesus as “a Light to enlighten the Gentiles” (Lk2:32). This is the reason why we begin today’s liturgy with a candle light procession. This procession with candles symbolises the light of Jesus entering not only the physical Temple but also the Temple of our bodies.
A 13th C Dominican Friar, Jacob Voragine, offers an explanation of the candles we carry in the procession. He says the candle represents Jesus Christ. In the Candle are three things which signify three things about Christ; the wax is a sign of his body which was immaculately conceived by the blessed virgin Mary, the wick signifies his pure soul and the fire or light that the candle bears signifies his divine life because our God is a consuming fire.
Jesus comes to share this divine life with us. That is the reason for Simeon’s delight in the gospel. That Jesus is the salvation Godas prepared for the Nations. He is a light to enlighten the gentiles and the glory of his people Israel. (Lk 2:29-32) Jesus brings some newness to those who are unbelievers and fulfils the desire of the believer.
He comes to each one of us, believer or not, to make us acceptable to God our Father. The first reading from Malachi says he does this as a refiner refines gold in fire.
What does it mean to say he will refine us as gold is refined in fire? To use gold as an example is very instructive. We know that gold does not rust. If Jesus refines us like gold, then he seeks to deal with things that have the potential of corrupting this divine life he comes to share with us.
The first thing we should consider is our friendships.
Your friends have the potential of helping you grow or corrupting you. It is important to consider the kind of friends we have. Evaluate them and find out if they help you grow spiritually. Scripture says, “do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals” (1Cor 15:33). Evaluate your friendships.
The second thing to consider is the world.
1 John 2:15 says “do not love the world and the things in it” Jesus refines us so that we do not allow ourselves to be led astray by the world and its attractions. The world is not in reference to nature, is in reference to the lifestyle of the ungodly (2Pt 2:5) whose life is not influenced by God but by satan. We are not to be attracted to the lifestyle and thoughts of those who are opposed to the commandments of God. The world presents us with sensual lust, enticements for the eyes and a pretentious life” (1John 2:16).
Paul admonishes that we do not conform ourselves to the world, but keep the renewal of our thoughts on the word of God. (1Cor. 12:2). This is because the “world and its enticements are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever” (1John 2:17).
Are you willing to allow Jesus to refine you? He is the only light of our lives. It is only in and through him that our yearnings and desires are fulfilled. And this is the good news, He never rejects any one who comes to him.
May Jesus be the light that shows us the way in this perverse and corrupt world.
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
