Revisitng Candlemas

     Last weekend we had the blessing of candles for the Feast of the Presentation — aka Candlemas — and the feast itself was celebrated on Monday. I would have liked to preach on the Presentation, but between the Beatitudes and the Bishop’s Appeal kickoff there just wasn’t enough time. Nevertheless, since it’s an important event in salvation history, I’ll take this opportunity to remark on it. 
     This feast commemorates the moment that Mary and Joseph presented the baby Jesus in the Temple in observance of the law of Moses, that every firstborn son be consecrated to the LORD (Exodus 13), and that families offer sacrifice to the LORD after safely delivering a child (Leviticus 12). This may appear mundane at first glance, and certainly went unnoticed at the time to all but a few bystanders, but something really big happens here. 
     You’ve heard me preach about the Glory of the LORD dwelling in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 8:10-11) and about its departure just before the Babylonian Exile (Ezekiel 10). The Temple was rebuilt after it was destroyed in the war, and then massively renovated just before the time of Jesus, but the Glory of the LORD did not return… until this moment. The Presentation marks the return of the LORD to His Temple and the fulfillment of the prophecies (cf. Malachi 3:1-4). That’s huge, and all of Israel was waiting for it, and yet only two devoted elderly people saw clearly enough with the eyes of faith even to notice. 
     Now why do we call it Candlemas, and why does it begin with the blessing of candles? The celebration of this feast traditionally began with a candle-lit procession, in recognition that our Lord is “a light for revelation to the gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). I have to imagine it’s also connected to the sanctuary lamp that burns next to the tabernacle, reminding us that the LORD is present. As we burn our blessed candles, let’s let it remind us of “the true light that enlightens all” who came into the world (John 1:9). 
     Thanks to those who have pledged or contributed to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. It’s a worthy cause, and our participation helps further the evangelizing and sanctifying mission of the Church in the Dallas area. Selfishly, though, I’ll ask that when making a donation, please remember to mark your parish as St. Elizabeth of Hungary — there are two other St. Elizabeth parishes in this diocese, and we don’t want to get those confused. Thank you!