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The candles are the story of the feast

Today is Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation.

We read at today’s Mass, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Lk 2:29-32).

When we think of 40 days, we’re likely to think of Lent. We might also think of the Ascension, the 40th day of Easter. But we should think of today’s feast, too. The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord occurs 40 days after Christmas.

Today’s feast has another name as well: Candlemas. Traditionally, candles are presented at Mass today to be blessed and used in liturgies throughout the church year.

But the blessing of candles isn’t an add-on to today’s feast. The candles tell the story.

Jesus, the light that ‘shines in the darkness’

Jesus Christ, the light that enlightens the heart of every man, has come into the world. As St. John puts it in his Gospel, read at Mass on Christmas Day, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (1:5).

The candles are symbols of our hearts. At every Mass, we are visited by Christ. The humble wax of our souls is ignited. Through the mystery of his grace, we are made light-bearers, capable of scattering the darkness.

Let us pray,

Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore your majesty that, just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, we may be presented to you with minds made pure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.