Candlemas
Let us strive to be spotless and pure, and thus one day present ourselves before The Lord, as a living flame; enkindled with the love of His Sacred Heart.
Today is the feast of The Presentation of Our Lord, also known as “Candlemas,” which commemorates the presentation of Baby Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem. Candlemas lands forty days after The Birth of Our Lord.
"Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews who obeyed the Law of Moses. Jewish Law prescribed that two ritual acts needed to take place for a firstborn son. First, the mother of a newborn son was ritually unclean for seven days, and then she was to "spend thirty-three more days in a state of blood purity" (Leviticus 12). During these forty days, she was not to "touch anything sacred nor enter the sanctuary till the days of her purification are fulfilled." For this reason, today's feast has at times been called the "Purification of Mary" - Source : The Presentation of The Lord
“Candlemas” is also a traditional name given to today’s feast because as early as the fifth century, the custom of celebrating this feast with lighted candles developed. The lit candles symbolized Simeon’s prophecy that Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” Lastly, this Feast has been referred to as the “Feast of the Holy Encounter” because God, in the Person of Jesus, encountered Simeon and Anna in the Temple.” - Source : The Presentation of The Lord
It is important to note, that The Blessed Virgin was free from all sin at the moment of Her conception. Mary simply fulfilled ritual obligations, according to Jewish Law. As you may understand, Christ subjected Himself to authority in His humanity. Recall how later in His life, Christ was baptized. He, as Redeemer did not need to be cleansed, but rather His baptism cleansed the waters, thus sanctifying the sacrament.
Saint John Chrysostom writes: "Going down into the water and emerging again are the image of the descent into hell and the Resurrection."
On the feast of Candlemas, the blessing of candles takes place, and a procession is done to symbolize the entry of Christ; the light of the world, into the temple of Jerusalem. Thus foreshadowing Christ's victory over death, and His entry into The Heavenly Jerusalem in the glorious light of The Resurrection.
Christ says "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!" - Luke 12:49
Let us reflect on Our Lord being presented in the temple as an infant. May we too one day be presented before Him, as a pure flame in His Kingdom. Let us strive to be spotless and pure, and thus one day present ourselves before The Lord, as a living flame; enkindled with the love of His Sacred Heart.
Words from Our Blessed Mother to Saint Bridget of Sweden on The Purification of Jesus, taken from the book "The Life of Mary As Seen by The Mystics" Compiled by Raphael Brown :
"I did not need purification, like other women, because my Son who was born of me, made me clean. Nevertheless, that the Law and the prophecies might be fulfilled, I chose to live according to the Law. Nor did I live like worldly parents, but humbly conversed with the humble. Nor did I wish to show anything extraordinary in me, but loved whatever was humble. "On that day (of the Purification) my pain was increased. For though by divine inspiration I knew that my Son was to suffer, yet this grief pierced my heart more keenly at Simeon's words. And until I was assumed in body and soul to Heaven, this grief never left my heart, although it was tempered by the consolation of the Spirit of God. Let not, then, this grief leave thy heart, for without tribulation few would reach Heaven."
Serviam
Sources : Feast of The Presentation of The Lord - My Catholic Life
Book : The Life of Mary As Seen By The Mystics Compiled by Raphael Brown
February 2nd is The Feast of The Presentation of Our Lord, also known as Candlemas.
“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness, has not overcome it.” - John 1:5