Coming forty days after the Nativity of the Lord we see the child Jesus presented in the Temple. He was revealed successively to the shepherds, then the Magi and finally, now in the house on earth of his heavenly Father, to the Temple. This is the temple which, in due course, will be cleansed by the grown Jesus as he reveals fully his messianic identity and mission. There Simeon and Anna, faithful and prayerful Israelites who have long awaited the Messiah, rejoice at his presence. The darkness that has hung over the people is dispelled and the light of God's love suffuses the world. This is not just for the Jews but also, as Simeon prophesizes: "... a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to his people Israel." (Lk 1: 32) Tus, the last of the feasts of the Incarnation concludes. The blessed candles, which we use on the altar throughout the year, are an echo of this feast in our liturgy and remind us of how we are enlightened by Christ and called to the same kind of prayer and faithfulness we see in the Holy Family, Simeon and Anna.
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