The Pastor's Corner

by Fr. Bob Hoffman

On Thursday of this week, we celebrated the Presentation of the Lord. At that same Mass, we continued the tradition of blessing of candles. It is from that tradition that this Mass is sometimes called Candlemas.

When Jesus is presented in the Temple, very few people notice. From the Gospel of Luke, it seems that only Simeon and Anna knew who had been brought to the Temple.

Simeon had asked God that he be permitted to live long enough to see the Messiah. Once he sees (and holds) Jesus, he proclaims his famous canticle: ““Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

Simeon gets to see Jesus and is then ready for God to bring him home. 

We do not get to experience Jesus in quite the same way, but we have all likely had some experience of Jesus. That experience should have some profound effect on our life. It should change our entire outlook on life.

Additionally, it should compel us to share the Good News with others. We should want others to experience Christ because we have experienced Christ. 

But it must start with an openness to that experience of Christ. And then to an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ.