WORD ALIVE
There’s one feast in the Catholic Church’s calendar which is not very well known. That is the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple which is celebrated every Feb. 2.
According to the ancient Jewish tradition, a child is never given to parents by God, but only lent to them. This tradition helps us appreciate better the spirit behind God’s instruction to Moses: “Every first-born male shall be dedicated to the Lord” (Exodus 13,2).
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The Jews carried out God’s instruction with a rite called “presentation” which usually took place 40 days after childbirth.
The parents were supposed to offer animal sacrifice like a lamb or birds like turtle doves or two young pigeons.
Since Jesus’ parents were poor, they could afford to offer only a pair of turtle doves. It is hard to comprehend how the Son of God and Creator of the Universe stooped down so low unable to offer a sheep or lamb!
Moreover, despite Jesus’ divine origin, his parents submitted to the law. They never claimed any special privilege.
There’s a priest hearing confession in church. At the end of a long queue he saw a high-ranking government official. The priest went out of the confessional box and invited him to confess ahead of the others.
The official replied, “It’s alright, Father; the others came ahead of me. When I’m outside my office, I’m just an ordinary person.”
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The example of that government official is very inspiring, indeed. However, there are some officials who abuse their position, demanding VIP treatment. People get to wondering why in the world we call these officials “public servants.”
This VIP syndrome can be seen in arrogant and abusive men of authority like some policemen and politicians verbally abusing small fries or certain employers maltreating their domestic helpers.
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As Christians, we must learn from the example of St. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus Christ whose lives reflected humility and submission to the law.
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Why is the feast of Presentation also called “Candle Mass”?
This is because when Simeon who had waited for the coming of the Messiah, recognized the Child Jesus being presented in the Temple, he cried out: “My eyes have witnessed your saving deed…a revealing light to the Gentiles, the glory of your people Israel” (Lk 2, 32).
The candle symbolizes Jesus as the Light to the pagans.
Similarly, we are exhorted to be living “candles,” radiating light figuratively through our good deeds and testimony of Christian life.
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On pride. St. Philip Neri once said: “Human pride is the hardest to die. It dies 10 minutes after one is dead.”
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In a street accident, a woman tried to help the victim but suddenly a nurse came in and said arrogantly, “Miss, excuse me! Everybody please step back and give way! I’m a nurse. I’ve had a course in first aid and I’m trained in giving CPR.”
As the nurse broke through the curious crowd, she turned red with embarrassment. The victim was a dog!
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Sharing God’s blessing. A certain benefactor, Mr. Salvador Monroy, once wrote me, “I give because my money did not come from me alone but from God. My life in this world is limited. I have to prepare for the inevitable. I’m doing this by sharing the blessings I received from God.”
How about emulating Mr. Monroy? Donate an amount or sponsor a seminarian’s schooling for one school year. Email: belsvd@gmail.com.