On Candlemas Sunday, we hear in the Gospel about the Presentation of Jesus by Mary and Joseph in the Temple. The offering of the first born son. Simeon guided by the Holy Spirit to the Temple recognises Jesus as the light for the revelation to the Gentiles, that’s us, and we hear the famous prayer to this effect as Simeon takes Jesus into his arms – the Canticle of Simeon (Luke 2.32).

“Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,

just as you promised;

because my eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared for all the nations to see,

a light to enlighten the pagans

and the glory of your people Israel.”

Candles are blessed and taken home. This reminds us that Jesus is the true light of the world. Light is a profound symbol in catholic Tradition. Christians are called to be lights to the world in how we live in our everyday lives.

Christians are called to be counter cultural in our secular society and suffer persecution as a result but the joy and happiness of knowing Jesus as brother friend and Saviour more than compensates.

Recent theories and ideologies including those which are against marriage and family life and contradict the immutable laws of nature in God’s beautiful creation, though permeating our institutions and popular consciousness, cannot stand.

The light of Christ is truth revealing and life giving for all time.