Candlemas Day

   Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. It is also known as Candlemas.
   The day recounts when Jesus, who is the light of the world, was presented in the temple by his parents, Joseph and Mary, in order to dedicate their first-born son to God.
   At the temple, they met two different characters. Simeon and a prophetess, Anna. Each of them gave words to Mary that were most certainly a cause for deep reflection. Both spoke about Jesus being the "downfall and the rise" of many. She also heard about the grief and sorrow that she and her son would endure. This was a most confusing day for them.
   It is that way so often in our lives. We attempt to follow God's will, to fulfill the commands of our faith, and we get confronted with confusing signs or words or deeds. Things make us wonder what it is all about.
   We have to remind ourselves that the answers we seek may not come to us while here on earth. One day, in the Kingdom of God, all things will remain clear. Until then, we are asked to place our faith and trust in God and allow Him to lead us through these days of our lives.
   On the feast of Candlemas, churches used to bless all the candles that they would use throughout the year. That tradition seems to have gone by the wayside. Tomorrow, however, well, that is a different story. Tomorrow we will bless candles and use them to bless the throats of all who come to Mass for the feast of St. Blaise. But I get ahead of myself. You'll have to wait for that story tomorrow!