Malachi 3:1-4 / Hebrews 2:14-18 / Luke 2:22-40
(On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, candles are blessed before the Mass.)
The candles that were blessed at the beginning of the Mass were meant to be lighted and then brought along in procession into the church where the Mass will be celebrated.
The significance of this is to remind us that at Christmas, Jesus came into the world and He is the true Light.
This feast of the Presentation indicates that Jesus the Light of the world is being presented to His Father and consecrated to Him.
That is the significance of why the candles are to be lighted and brought in procession into the church.
This feast is also an occasion for those in the consecrated life to renew their commitment to God, especially those who belong to religious orders and other similar organizations.
Yet, the lighted candles also have a deeper meaning. Not only do we carry in us the light of Christ, we also unite with Him in His offering and sacrifice to the God.
Jesus was presented and consecrated to God to be the Saviour of the world.
It is through Him and in Him that the promise of salvation will be fulfilled and Jesus will fulfill that on the cross.
As we celebrate this feast of the Presentation, we also unite with Jesus and present ourselves to be consecrated for the salvation of the world.
May the blessed candles remind us that our lives are to be a continual sacrifice to God so that through us, the work of salvation that was begun in Jesus will be continued and fulfilled.
May our lives be like lighted candles that bring the light of God's love to the world.