Happy Ground Hog's Day!! Yes today we find out if that rodent from up north, also known as Punxsutawney Phil will predict 6 more weeks of winter or if we can look forward to an early spring. And don't we all wish for an early spring, especially after this past week. How did everyone do surviving the great ice storm of 2014? For us in the deep south, we just experienced sleet, some snow, ice covered roads, icicles hanging from our roofs, businesses shut down and kids with an unexpected 3 day break from school. C'mon Phil, give us some hope!
Isn't it ironic that for the Ground Hog to predict spring, he must come out of his hole in the ground to a cloudy and overcast day. If it is a beautiful sun shinning kind of day, the Ground Hog will see his shadow and retreat and that means more winter. Seems backwards to me, but I didn't make the rules.
For you and me, we love to see the sun. We are attracted to light. In the light we find warmth and safety and brightness.
As people of faith, indeed we are drawn to the light; and that light is Jesus Christ.
February 2nd may be Ground Hog's Day and this year Super Bowl Sunday. More importantly, February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This day is also known as Candlemas Day, a Christian celebration of light. On this date, the calendar arrives at the half way mark between the shortest day of the year and the spring equinox. Perhaps we have taken notice that every day lately the sun is going down a little bit later. On Candlemas Day it was expected that all the candles to be used in the church for the coming year would be blessed; another reference to light. Whether we call it the Feast of the Presentation or Candlemas, today we recall the Scriptural event of Mary and Joseph presenting the baby Jesus at the Temple. As devout and faithful Jews, Mary and Joseph would know that 40 days after the birth of Jesus, the ritual purification of Mary would be complete and the child must be presented for consecration at the Temple. When Jesus was presented, the Holy Family encounter Simeon and Anna. It is the words of Simeon that help us to celebrate the light on this feast: my eyes have seen your salvation, prepared in the sight of all the people, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for Israel!! These words are an encouragement for us today when we think of our relationship with Jesus: seeing salvation, a light for revelation and glory!
Yes we should not forget that at this presentation, Simeon also foretold of the passion and death of Jesus telling Mary directly that a sword shall pierce your heart. At that moment in time, could Mary possibly have known just exactly what this means? Then Anna comes into the story and gave thanks for the child glorifying God. Why did Simeon and Anna have this knowledge that Jesus, the light of the world, was the fulfillment of God's promise? Because they believed!
Jesus may have been presented in the Temple some 40 days after his birth, but he is presented for us every time we gather to celebrate the Mass. Jesus is presented in the Word proclaimed from this very ambo. In a few moments, Jesus is presented to us when the simple gifts of bread and wine become, at the consecration, His Body and Blood. Then that real presence of Jesus, body, blood, soul and divinity, are presented to us in the reception of Holy Communion. Why have we been given the gift to see Jesus present in what appears to be common bread and common wine? Because we believe, and we live in the light. For those who do not believe and do not live in the light, they are living in darkness and a place of no hope. Just as Simeon took the child Jesus into his arms and welcomes him as the Messiah, just as Anna immediately gave thanks to God upon seeing Jesus, we too are called to embrace and rejoice Jesus when He is presented to us, most especially in the Holy Eucharist. May we too receive Him properly prepared and with an embrace of reverence, respect and love.
The words captured in the Gospel of Luke spoken by Simeon are now the words prayed every night by those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours. Even if you do not personally pray the Liturgy of the Hours, you can recite this prayer first prayed by Simeon: "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 the revelation of the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." Pray this prayer every night before bed, at least this week, although it is a great prayer for every night all year long. The Presentation is also remembered in the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary and the Rosary of the 7 Sorrows of Mary. Offer a Joyful Mystery or 7 Sorrows Rosary this week as a reminder of Jesus; the light of my life!!!
Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow today? Did he see the light? Do we long to see more light after these recent days of a cold, long winter? Perhaps the bigger question for us to answer today is do we see the Light of Christ, burning brightly in our hearts and our lives?
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