Dear Friends,
Next Sunday, February 2, is more than Super Bowl Sunday, as important as that may be to some. In the larger scheme of things and in the realm of what is truly important, the Super Bowl, for all of its hype, falls far short of the mark. In the calendar of the Church, February 2 is celebrated as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, commemorating the event related in Luke’s Gospel when Jesus, at forty days of age, was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem and presented, dedicated, to the Lord. This was re- quired of all parents on the birth of their firstborn son. On that day, Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph, with the Child, encountered both Simeon and Anna, both prophets and holy ones, who recognized the significance of the Child. He was the fulfillment of all their hopes and longings, the fulfillment of the hopes of the people of Israel.
Simeon, having had his prayer heard that he not die before he could meet the longexpected Mes- siah, on seeing the Child and taking him into his arms, prayed, “Now, Master, you may let your serv- ant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in sight of all the peoples.” He goes on to proclaim that the Child will be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for [God’s] people Israel.”
In commemoration of Simeon’s prophecy, candles, a significant means of light in homes and households for centuries, although less significant in our modern age of electricity, are blessed on the feast of the Presentation, remembering the coming to the Temple, to his House, of the One who is Messiah and the Light of the world. We will begin Masses in a slightly different way next weekend, with the blessing of candles and a simple procession to the altar. As always, I encourage you to listen carefully to the words of instruction as well as the Scripture readings of the day. In our age of darkness, tumult, and uncertainty, more than ever we need the One who is the Light of the world, the One who shows us the way, the One who leads us out of darkness and death into light and life.
This Sunday, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, has been proclaimed by Pope Francis to be the Sunday of the Word of God. It is a good day to con- sider the Bible and its importance in our lives as Christians and as Catholics. Does your family own a Bible? If so, where is it kept? Is it in a place of hon- or? Most importantly, is it read regularly? The Bible is more than a coffee table piece or just another book on a shelf. As the living Word of God, it has the power to mold us, shape us, and transform us. Get a family Bible if you do not have one. Pick it up and read it, each day, if just for five or ten minutes.
A good practice is to follow the readings of the Church and its daily liturgy. The readings for each day of the week are listed in each Sunday bulletin. Read along with the Church and watch what happens when you open your heart to God and what God has to say to you.
Have a wonderful week!
