Today we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord, what is also traditionally known in the Church as the Purification of Mary, or “Candlemas.” On this day we honor Christ as the Light of the World. Like Mary, who “carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness … we too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him.” [1]
We each have a candle in our souls: the light of Christ, given to us at baptism. Yet how easy it is to forget that by every thought, word, and action of our lives, this light grows brighter or begins to fade. Every choice we make, or how we “carry our candle,” has the power to affect our souls and the soul of every single person we meet in a given day. That realization is staggering.
How would our lives change if we could see the state of our candle, if it were always visible to us? How much more sorry would we feel if at every judgmental thought, negative word, and unkind action, we were to see our light flicker, or even worse, go out? On the other hand, what an encouragement it would be to see our candle grow brighter with every compassionate thought, affirming word, and loving action!
This feast is a reminder to keep our candles burning brightly by daily offering ourselves to the Father with Jesus, welcoming him in each person we meet, and proclaiming him in all our thoughts, words, and actions. [2] We are called to carry our candle high, spreading Christ’s light to the whole world, flame by flame, soul by soul.
The actual candles held during the celebration today “show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ.” [3] As you go about your weekly responsibilities, join me in calling to mind each day our most important responsibility: to keep our candles burning brightly and to reflect this divine light to each person we meet. May each encounter we have this week be covered in the light of Christ.
Carry your candle, and run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
And hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world [4]
[1] Taken from the Office of the Day, from a sermon by Saint Sophronius, Bishop. Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. III, p. 1350.
[2] Taken from the petitions from Morning Prayer, Liturgy of the Hours, Vol III. p 1353.
[3] Taken from the Office of the Day, from a sermon by Saint Sophronius, Bishop. Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. III, p. 1350.
[4] Lyrics from Go Light Your World, recorded by Chris Rice. Listen to full song.
Love Chris Rice! Nice reflection, Mary!