Let Your Light Shine

Gospel: Luke 2: 22-40

Today's feast of the Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas finds us blessing and lighting candles, for Simeon declares Jesus to be the light to all the nations.  The candle represents Jesus as the light of the world, a light that illumines our dark way in this world so that we might see the path of God, the path to God.  Today we light our candle, we make present to others the light of Christ our life - let your light shine so that all might see your good works and give glory to your heavenly Father. 

Mary presented Jesus in the Temple in observance of the Law.  She brought forth Jesus for others to see, so that others might have light in their lives.  From the Temple and Jerusalem this light goes outward to Nazareth and to all places low and high, but it can only do so by our own lives, by our presenting the Lord to others by the life we live.  It is brought to others by having our lives illuminated by the light of Christ and reflect that light through a life of loving deeds and mercy.

If others have not seen the light of Christ it is because we have not presented Christ to the world, we have not reflected that light of Christ in our lives.  Today's feast and its attendant rituals and symbols provide us an opportunity to recommit ourselves to reflect Christ's light to the world by deeds of loving kindness and mercy.