Today's Feast of the Presentation of the Lord unfortunately does not receive the recognition it is due, being buried in the course of a weekday Mass. In monasteries and some parishes, it is given its rightful place as the day to bless the candles to be used during the year and to feature a candelight procession to underscore the prophetic words of the Old Simeon who was promised to see "the salvation of Israel" before his death. "He took the child into his arms and blessed God, saying, 'Now, Master, you may let you servant go in peace, according to your word,/ for my eyes have seen your salvation,/ which you have prepared in the sight of all the peoples,/ a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.'" (Lk 2: 29-32). How blessed Simeon was that after years of patient and prayerful waiting, the promise was fulfilled. His words ring through the centuries to this day as every evening in the Church's official final prayer of the day, the "Nunc Dimittis" is said or chanted at Compline. May God so bless us that we may see in the people and events of each day the "light of revelation", the face of Jesus and the wonders of your hand.
Bro. Rene
Note: This was the slice of bread intended for yesterday, but due to a "whaco" glitch in my laptop, (solved by a CCHS Junior, Josh Thomas) I could not complete it or post it. It comes today as a bonus.
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