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Spiritans Sound Outreach is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria.
©2024 Spiritans Sound Outreach
Website Made with ❤️ by Microfidelity

The Light of CHRIST: A Celebration of Hope & Redemption

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40
THE LIGHT OF CHRIST:
A CELEBRATION OF HOPE AND REDEMPTION
By Rev'd Fr Andrew Dare Odeyemi

39

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a significant event in the life of Jesus Christ. This feast, also known as Candlemas, marks the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, as recounted in the Gospel reading of today. It is a moment that reminds us of Christ as the light of the world, illuminating our faith and guiding us on our spiritual journey.

In the Catholic liturgy, Sundays are considered solemnities and typically take precedence over other feasts. However, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord we celebrate today is an exception. As a feast of the Lord, rather than a Saint’s feast, it follows a unique protocol. This same principle applies to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14 that falls on Sunday this year. According to liturgical norms, when a feast of the Lord falls on a Sunday, it takes precedence over the Sunday of Ordinary Time.

The first reading from the Prophet Malachi sets the tone for our celebration today. Prophet Malachi prophesies the coming of the Lord to His Temple, purifying and refining the Levites, and restoring justice and righteousness. This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is presented in the Temple today.

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple was a significant moment in the life of the Holy Family. According to Jewish law, every firstborn male child had to be presented to God in the Temple, and a sacrifice had to be offered in thanksgiving for the child’s birth. Mary and Joseph, faithful Jews, obeyed this law, and presented Jesus in the Temple.


The second reading, from the Letter to the Hebrews, reminds us that Jesus’ presentation in the Temple was not just a ritual observance, but a crucial step in His mission to save humanity. By becoming one of us, Jesus shared in our humanity, and through His death and resurrection, He destroyed the power of death and freed us from the fear of death.
This reading helps us to understand the deeper significance of Jesus’ presentation in the Temple. It was not just a ceremony, but a manifestation of God’s love for humanity. Jesus’ willingness to share in our humanity, to become one of us, is a testament to the depth of God’s love for us.

As we celebrate today’s feast, we are also reminded of the significance of light. In the Gospel passage, Simeon says that Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32). This theme of light is echoed in our candlelight procession, which symbolizes the light of Christ shining in our lives.

Indeed, Jesus is the Light that shines in the darkness. He is the one who illuminates our path, guides us through life’s challenges, and brings hope to those who are lost.

Therefore, as we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation today, we are reminded of the importance of allowing the Light of Christ to shine in our lives. We are called to reflect His light to others, to be beacons of hope in a world filled with darkness.

So, what does this mean for us today? How can we reflect the Light of Christ in our lives?
As we process with candles today, we are reminded that we are called to be bearers of the light of Christ. We are called to reflect the Light of Christ by be a beacon of hope to those around us, to offer words of encouragement, support, and guidance to those who are struggling.

We are also being called to shine brightly in the darkness, by sharing our faith with others, and reflect the Light of Christ in our words and actions. We are also being encouraged to guide others to the Light of Christ, by sharing our experiences, and offer support and guidance to those who are seeking to deepen their faith. These are how we can allow the Light of Christ to shine more brightly in our lives.

Lastly, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord we celebrate today is a celebration of faith, hope, and love. Simeon and Anna, two elderly individuals, demonstrate remarkable faith and hope. Despite their advanced age, they remained faithful and hopeful, waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promises. Their faith and hope were rewarded when they encountered Jesus, the Messiah. They recognized Him as the Savior, and they gave thanks to God.

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple also highlights the importance of love. Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ parents, demonstrated remarkable love and devotion to God by obeying the Jewish law and presenting Jesus in the Temple.
As we celebrate this feast, let us pray for the gift of faith, hope, and love.

May we, like Simeon and Anna, faithful and hopeful, and always wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises. May we, like Mary and Joseph, demonstrate remarkable love and devotion to God. And may the light of Christ shine in our lives, so that we can be bearers of that light to those around us. Amen!

Stay blessed 🙏
Rev’d Fr Andrew Dare Odeyemi ✍️

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