Homily: Feb 2 2017 - Feast of the Presentation - Songs of Light

There are three canticles from the infancy narratives of Luke Gospel which are recited every single day by the Church as part of the liturgy of the hours.  Some of you might pray the hours along with the priests and religious who are obligated to offer these prayers daily.

The first canticle was sung by Zechariah on the occasion of the birth of his Son, John the Baptist. Every morning, in the liturgy of the hours, the Church recites the Canticle of Zechariah who sang of the longing for the light of Christ to dawn upon the world. Every morning, the Church turns to the light of Christ, to guide us, to scatter the darkness in our lives, to enlighten our minds and hearts.

The second canticle from the infancy narratives is the Canticle of Mary. The Church lovingly prays Mary’s Magnificat every day during evening prayer.  Carrying the Christ child within her, the light of Christ within her, she bursts forth into this song of joyful praise of God. In reciting the Magnificat daily, the Church recognizes that each Christian, carrying the light of Christ within them through baptism, has been called to be an instrument of God’s saving grace, just like Mary, and to know the joy of the indwelling presence of God.

We heard the third canticle as part of our Gospel today, sung by Simeon, when 40 days after his birth, Joseph and Mary brought the Christ child to the Temple.  Simeon’s Canticle is prayed at the very last hour of the day in the Church’s Night Prayer.

“Now you let your servant God in peace, your word as been fulfilled.” Simeon sings this song recognizing that our lives our only complete when we have gazed upon the Son of God. Notice, too, that Simeon holds the Christ child in his arms, as he recites his canticle, as if presenting Jesus to the world.

We are to turn to the light of God at the beginning of every day, we are to carry the light of God within us in order to be the people he made us to be, and we are to present that light to the world, calling all people to recognize Christ as Savior. Only by living in his light can we achieve life’s purpose. What good is life to us without Him!

In 1997, St. John Paul II designated the feast of the presentation as world day of prayer for those in consecrated religious life. So we will offer prayers for the consecrated religious who are such a great light in the Church. May we join them in responding more devoutly today to the Lord’s invitation to turn away from all darkness toward the light, to bear that light, and to present that light to those in darkness, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. We pray to the Lord…

For those who have responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be a consecrated person that they may experience the support of the Church as they continue their growth in holiness. We pray to the Lord…

In gratitude for the consecrated religious who have served this parish and our diocese, for an increase in vocations to the consecrated life. We pray to the Lord…

During this Catholic Schools week, for all young people, for their teachers and catechists and parents who are the first teachers of the faith, and that the truth of the faith may be learned, cherished, and practiced in every Catholic school and Christian home.