FEBRUARY 2009

Jesus, Light of the World

February 2, in the tradition of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass of 1962, is the last day of Christmastide.  It is forty days after the birth of Christ, and is called the Presentation of the Lord (Luke 2:22-39) when Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus to the Temple to be consecrated to God.  This event is commemorated in the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple.

Canticle of Simeon/Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2: 29-32)

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

Your word has been fulfilled:

My own eyes have seen the salvation which

You have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations

And the glory of your people Israel.

                                The Canticle of Simeon is familiar to those who recite the Night Prayer/Nunc Dimittis of the Liturgy of the Hours.

An old man was carrying a Child;

 but the Child was the old man's Lord.

 St. Augustine

February 2 is also Candlemas Day.  It was first known as the Candle Mass for the name comes from the activities associated with the feast.  Candles are blessed this day to commemorate Simeon's prophecy that Christ is "a light to enlighten the nations" and a candlelight procession into church is held to represent Christ's entry into the Temple of Jerusalem.

Almighty and Everlasting God, we humbly beseech Thee, that as Thy only begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh,

so too would Thou grant us to be presented to Thee with purified souls and bring us into Thy presence.  Amen

February 2 is also the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary in obedience to Jewish Law.  Since Vatican II, the principal theme of this feast has been designated a feast of the Lord, but the thought of Our Lady is never far away.  This is one of the oldest of Marian feasts.

"Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and is destined to be a sign that is rejected -

and a sword will pierce your own soul so that the secret thoughts of many may be revealed."   Luke 2: 34 - 35

We have rejoiced at the birth of the Infant Jesus, but are given Simeon's prophecy to prepare us for His Passion and Death.  Soon we will reflect on the meaning of the Light of Christ in our life.  Soon the Church will give us LENT to shine His Light into the dark recesses of our soul.  We must be enlightened to see what is evil before we can desire its removal.   And to see what is good so we may grow in holiness.  This is to be our way during Lent (Ash Wednesday, February 25).             

The Inner Light

I entered into my inmost self with you, Lord, as my guide; and this I was able to do because you were my helper. I entered in and saw with the eye of my soul, the unchangeable Light, very different from earthly lights.  It was above my mind but not the way oil is above water or heaven above the earth. It was superior because it made me, and I inferior because I was made by it. Those who know the Truth know this Light, and those who know it, know eternity. . .  St. Augustine -- Confessions 7, 10  

HUMILITY:  THE TRADITIONAL VIRTUE FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY

As Mary in humble obedience to the Jewish Law submitted herself to the rite of purification forty days after the birth of her son, Jesus, so may we practice humility.

 Humility is the moral virtue that restrains the unruly desire for personal greatness and leads people to an orderly love of themselves based on a true appreciation of their position with respect to God and their neighbors.  Religious humility recognizes one's total dependence on God; moral humility recognizes one's creaturely equality with others.  Yet humility is not only opposed to pride; it is also opposed to immoderate self-abjection, which would fail to recognize God's gifts and use them according to His will.

Humility comes from Latin humilitas, abasement, from humus, ground.

(Above definition taken from Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., Modern Catholic Dictionary)