The Light of the World

Homily for the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ

I hesitate to do this, but if you wish to understand the ritual that Joseph and Mary are going through in today’s Gospel reading, read chapter twelve of the Book of Leviticus. You might find it somewhat unsettling because it is a bit distasteful to our modern sensibilities. However, as St. Luke makes very clear, Joseph and Mary are doing what is necessary according to Mosaic law. In the first paragraph of our Gospel reading, St. Luke mentions the law of the Lord three times as a way to emphasize that Joseph and Mary intend to bring their son up as a law-abiding Jew.

Luke alone writes of this act of fidelity; Jesus is a human male of the Law and for the Lord. Ah, but there is an interruption! Something, some ones make their ways onto the ritual stage and this begins the salvific movement incarnated in the consecrated life, death and resurrection of this Light to and for all the nations.

Simeon, a righteous Jew has been waiting for his prophetic role on the stage of God’s saving labor. He has but a few, but quite important lines which echo the words of Gabriel to Mary at the Annunciation as well as the message of the angels to the shepherds.

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sights of all the peoples – a light for revelation to the Gentiles, the glory of your people Israel.”

An elderly woman of faith, Anna, comes to center stage, takes the child in her arms and senses and believes what she apparently heard Simeon announce and she begins spreading the Good News as well; the Light has come to the Temple in Jerusalem and is sent from the temple to illumine the whole world!

We bless the candles that will be used this year here in the chapel as a way to recall the Light’s moving from eternity into time, from the heart of the Jewish center out into the darkness of God’s creation. The world in which we live surely needs this light as the forces of evil continue in their effort to extinguish the Light of Christ. Whenever we see the sanctuary light burning constantly, we are reminded that the Light of glory and revelation resides in this place. Even in the dead of night when it is darkest here in the chapel, the Light of Christ continues to burn and illumine our darkness.