Malachi 3:1-4 / Hebrews 2:14-18 / Luke 2:22-40
Whenever we talk about portable lighting, the first thing that comes to mind will be the torch light.
Essentially the torch light would be made up of a bulb that is powered by batteries. As long as we have a torch light , we won’t fear the dark that much, because at the press of a switch, we would have instant light.
But before the invention of the torch light, it was candles. Candles are certainly not as versatile as the torch light, but they will do the job when there is a blackout and when the battery in the torch light is flat.
So the humble candle is still practical and useful and it makes good sense to have some candles around the house, just in case.
Also it would look rather odd to have a birthday cake with torch lights. How are we going to blow off the torch lights?
But candles are not just for birthday cakes. In the church, candles have a spiritual meaning and a spiritual purpose.
Lighted candles have been used in worship and in devotions for long time, and its meaning is as clear as the light it emits - the Light of Christ shines out to dispel the darkness of sin and fear.
Lighted candles are used in worship and in the celebration of the Sacraments. It is also good to note that the Easter candle is put at a prominent location during Baptism and at the funeral Mass, and those are the two important points of life.
Today as the church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, candles are blessed at the beginning of the Mass.
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord can be understood as the conclusion of the series of feasts that began at Christmas.
Christmas presents to us the birth of the Saviour at Bethlehem. The Epiphany celebrated His manifestation to the world. The Presentation reminds us of the offering of our Saviour in the Temple as the Victim who will reconcile God and man.
So why is there the blessing of candles on this Feast of the Presentation? What has candles got to do with the Presentation of the Lord?
The connection between the feast of the Presentation and the blessing of candles is essentially that Christ is the Light of the world, and the church uses lighted candles as a symbol of that Light.
As the Divine Light, Jesus shined on Simeon who look forward to Israel’s comforting. It had been revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord.
And when Mary and Joseph brought in the Child Jesus to do for Him what the Law required, Simeon took Him in his arms, and he uttered a fulfilment and revelation.
Simeon can now go in peace because his eyes have seen his Saviour. And that Saviour is also the Light of the world.
It was also a fulfilment and a revelation for the 84 year-old Anna who came by just at that moment and began to praise God, and she spoke of the Child to all who looked forward to the One who would deliver them from oppression and injustice.
So Simeon and Anna had their longings fulfilled when they saw the Light, and even as they closed their eyes to this world, the Light would lead them on to the Eternal Light.
Jesus came to bring light to the world. His light enlightened Simeon and Anna and they could go in peaceful fulfilment.
But His light also prepared Mary to face the darkness of the sword that will pierce her soul at the appointed time.
And so we have blessed these candles and we bring them home. But the candles would have no significance if they are not lighted.
And we light the blessed candles in prayer and with devotion. We let the Light of Christ shine on us as we pray so that our longings will also be fulfilled and that we will be at peace.
And in this time of health concerns, we too must stay calm and put our trust in the Lord for His protection even as we take precautions.
With prayer and with lighted candles, let us beseech the Lord Our God for His protection over us and on those who are treating and caring for those who are afflicted with the virus.
The Light of Christ will shine through this darkness and the darkness cannot overcome the light.
This darkness will pass and the Light of Christ will prevail.
So let us light the blessed candles and pray, and may the Light of Christ shine brightly to bring us peace and healing.