Jesus as the light of the world
Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24, R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!; Hebrews 2:14-18; Gospel – Luke 2: 22-32
Today we commemorate the 40th day after Christmas. We know this Feast as the Presentation of the Lord. It was also known as the Purification of Mary, for after giving birth to her first born, she needed seven days to be rendered clean and another 33 days for blood purification.
According to My Catholic Life, Joseph’s offering to the priest carries a very important symbolism, i.e., he “redeems” his first born in commemoration of Yahweh sparing the first-born of a Jewish family during the 10th plague where all first-born males of Egyptians, children and animals, were killed. Joseph here presented Jesus in the temple.
In a sense, today’s feast is a family celebration. It is the celebration of how each member of the family plays an important part in God’s plan and mission.
Let us reflect on all three members, Mary, Joseph and Jesus, with focus on Jesus as the light of the world.
The Blessed Mother’s submission to the ritual of purification echoed her total devotion and humility. As she humbly submitted to the prescription of the ancient law, it expressed her total devotion to God’s will for her, a total giving of self in loving obedience.
Joseph, too, is the epitome of the good and faithful steward-servant of God. Entrusted with the role of being the foster father of Jesus, he diligently played his role in the mission and plan of God, always protecting his Son and Mary.
These are graces we can all aspire for, desire, and ask. In God’s plan, there is the Mary and Joseph in each of us.
At times we need the total devotion and humility of Mary, especially in challenging moments when we struggle to understand. Like Mary, we keep all things in our heart.
We also need Joseph’s steady hand, so to speak. Always doing what was necessary, not simply to protect his wife and Son, but to give them safe space that they may do their sacred mission.
His was the loyal obedience of the good and faithful steward-servant, which we also need, and which gave his Son, our Lord, solid ground to grow on.
Remember what Fr. Catalino G. Arevalo, S.J. said: Joseph must have been a terrific father that when the Lord was looking for a word to describe his experience of God, what came to mind was “Abba,” father.
We can pray for the grace of Mary’s total devotion and humility, and of Joseph’s loyal obedience as the good and faithful steward-servant.
The final grace: Jesus the “light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
Final day of Christmas
We know this feast also as Candlemas or Candelaria. In the olden days, and still in some countries, this is the final day of Christmas. The tradition also includes the blessing of candles to be used all year round in prayer and celebrations.
Let us reflect on Jesus as the light of the world. How do we bring his light into the world?
Some points to ponder. First, let his light shine on us. Second, let his light shine on others through us. Third, let his light shine in the dark corners of the world.
Today we can pray for the special grace for the light of Jesus to shine on and within us. It is prayer for the grace of holiness, clearing all that hinder grace in our life and person that the light of Jesus’ grace may shine in, through, and from us.
It is not easy, and we must avoid the temptation to be holier-than-thou. It is the holiness that begins with the humility of a sinner rejoicing in God’s mercy and praying to clear obstacles to grace. Then we become channels of his grace and light.
Let Jesus’ light shine on others through us. There is no greater honor than to be an instrument in the hands of God.
Like John the Baptist, we must decrease so that Jesus may increase in us. As John said, “He was not the Light, but he came to testify to the Light.” (John 1: 8)
Finally, we pray to be instruments of Jesus’ light to shine in the dark corners of the world. We live in dark times – the darkness of climate change, of populist and dictatorial regimes inflicting suffering and violence on peoples, of corruption that deprives the poor of resources that lead to liberating genuine human development programs. We can add to this litany.
But the point is not to be overwhelmed by darkness, but to be inspired to let our light shine, the light that is Jesus.
I end with the lyrics of one of my favorite songs by one of my good friends, Trina Belamide:
“Let us tell the world of His love the greatest love the world has known
Search the world for those who have walked astray and lead them home
Fill the world’s darkest corners with His light from up above
Walk every step, every mile, every road, and tell the world, tell the world of His love.”
