Ignited by Christ to be “light”

Homily: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (C) 

Luke 2:22-32

2 February 2025

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Candles today come in all shapes and sizes. They come scented like flowers or fruits, herbs, and even popular food and drink like cake and coffee. I am shocked to know that some candles can even cost up to ten thousand pesos (P10,000) per piece!  To me that is pretty excessive. There are varied reasons why people love candles — to create an atmosphere perhaps of romance or calmness, to use during brownouts, or in the case of votive candles, to light on the altars while we pray to God to grant our petitions. 

Today, we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord. The feast has also called “Candlemas” in early Christian history because it is the day when we bless all the candles used in the Church throughout the year.  In the past, when there was no electricity yet, candles used at church had a practical purpose of bringing light into the sacred space especially at night. Even though candles are no longer necessary for this purpose, the Church still requires their use in the liturgy. They not only help us dispose ourselves in prayer but it is also a reminder that God is present. 

From ancient times, the Church has always used candles in a symbolic way. A lighted candle is seen as a symbol of the light of Christ. In the early Church to become a Christian meant to have the darkness of despair scattered by Christ’s radiant light. Hence, the Christian conversion experience was referred to as “the enlightenment” and the newly baptised, who wore white robes for the entire week after Easter, were called “the enlightened ones.” To this day, the Easter Vigil Rite begins with a dark Church and the congregation waiting in anticipation. The Easter Candle is then lit from the new fire and, as the deacon proclaims, “Christ our Light!”, smaller candles held by the faithful are lit from the Paschal candle and the flame rapidly spreads from candle to candle. The formerly darkened church becomes ablaze with many hundred points of light. We must have noted as well that at some point in the Rite of Baptism, the father or mother lights his/her candle from the flame of the Paschal candle and passes it on to the godparents, reminding them that the light of faith has been entrusted to them and they must keep it burning brightly in the newly-baptised infant through their good example.

In the gospel passage, we are told that Simeon takes Jesus in his arms, and proclaims Him to be “a light of revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32). One Bible commentator points out that “it is rather strange to bring up the Gentiles, since the Holy Family was among the Jewish people fulfilling obligations of the Law of Moses, not applicable to Gentiles, but to Jews alone. Moreover, they were standing in the Temple precincts, probably the inner courtyard where Gentiles were forbidden to enter under punishment of death.”  As our First Reading narrates, “The Lord suddenly comes to the Temple.” (Malachi 3:1) The words of Simeon in the gospel excerpt indicate that the coming of the Saviour as the world’s Light is not only meant for His own people. Rather, He has come to illumine the whole world… to be “a light to all nations” — even to the Gentiles. As a grown man, Jesus would return to the same Temple to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. On that feast, while the Temple Plaza was ablaze with torches and full of Jews dancing in celebration of their special relationship with the Almighty, Jesus would echo the same words of Simeon and boldly proclaim: “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12).

As we celebrate Jesus as our Light, we too are challenged to become “lights of Christ our Light”. Sometimes, I am asked “Father, how can I be a light to the world like our Lord, Jesus?” I usually say, we need to pray for the sensitivity to see where darkness lurks around us and to have the courage to bring Christ’s light to others. For instance, do we have friends and family who are depressed? Suffering from addictions or the devastating loss of a loved one? Are they lonely or confused about life? Let us be there for them. Sometimes, a genuine smile, a hug, a warm squeeze of the hand, a listening ear or even our quiet but unmistakable presence is enough. If we are a parent or a boss, let us be a model to our children and subordinates. Let us serve as their guide. Above all, let us be persons of integrity that they can emulate. Indeed, there are many ways we can bring Christ’s light to the world. We all have opportunities to illumine the world, even if it means lighting just one little candle at a time. 

Today’s feast reminds us that Christ is indeed our light, not just guiding us, but igniting us with the fire of His Spirit. Didn’t He call us “the light of the world”? (Matthew 5:14).  We carry His light within us. Just as Jesus boldly lived His life shining light into the darkness of this world, we, too are not meant to keep our light under the bushel basket of the home or our parish church. The light we have received is meant for an entire world still languishing in darkness. And so, the candles which we use in our liturgies and devotions are a reminder that we must not rest while there is even one left among us who has yet to know and experience Jesus as our Light! Let us be “lights” that ignite hope in people’s hearts!