Presentation of the Lord

This week on February 2nd we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which is also traditionally called Candlemas. As we hear in Simeon’s prophecy in the Gospel, Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” The burning candle symbolizes the abiding presence of Jesus Christ amid the Christian community as he promised “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) Therefore, the blessing of candles takes place during the Mass on this feast. Since ancient times the Doctors of the Church have given special meaning to the candles used in Candlemas as a symbol of the Incarnate Christ. St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, asks us to consider three things in the blessed Candle: the wax, the wick, and the flame. The wax, he says, which is “the production of the virginal bee, is the Flesh of our Lord; the wick, which is within, is His Soul; the flame, which burns on top, is His divinity.” So, bring your candles that you will be using on your home altar throughout the year to Mass on February 2nd to have them blessed.