Pastoral Message – January 28, 2024
We are quickly coming up on Groundhog Day, February 2nd. Folklore has it that we can predict how much longer winter will last according to whether or not a groundhog sees its shadow when it comes out of its burrow. But you are not reading this message in order to learn folklore about weather prognostication.
The reason I mention it at all is that, according to Wikipedia (source of all wisdom and knowledge!) the placement of Groundhog Day on February 2nd is based on the fact that February 2nd is Candlemas, which is another name for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast commemorates an event described in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 22-40. Mary and Joseph brought the Baby Jesus to the temple in
Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. While they were there, an elderly man named Simeon and an elderly woman named Anna recognized the child as the long-awaited Messiah.
Simeon proclaimed his great canticle, known in Latin as his “Nunc dimittis.” He described Jesus as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” Taking their cue from these words, as well as the many times the Gospels refer to Jesus as our Light (more than 15 times!), Christians have been celebrating the feast of the Presentation of the Lord at least since the fourth century, with a blessing of candles (symbolic of the Light of the World) and a procession.
So, when February 2nd arrives, go ahead and enjoy the groundhog thing, if you like; but more importantly, pray to Christ, the Light of the World. Remember that he has called us to be children of the Light (John 12:36). No more darkness, in our thoughts or in our words! Let’s focus on the Light that makes everything clear! If all of us let the Light of Christ shine in us and through us, the world will be a brighter and better place.
Fr. Philip
