Light Shine – Br. Luke Ditewig
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Br. Luke Ditewig
Presentation of our Lord
I didn’t know what it was at first, a small movement caught my eye. In the dusk at Emery House, across the field in the chapel beyond, the flame of a single candle flickered. Small yet powerful it was visible much further than I expected. The Light of Christ. Thanks be to God.
Today we celebrate the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, forty days after Christmas. The law of Moses gave rituals for the new child and mother forty days after birth. Mary and Joseph went to the temple for these. They were amazed by two patient, persistent, long-faithful saints, Simeon and Anna. Over a long life, they trusted God’s promises and looked forward with hope These two were gifted to recognized Jesus as the Messiah and spoke about him, praising God.
Imagine an elderly man holding an infant with joy. Simeon rejoices not in what he accomplished but in God’s actions by coming in Jesus and letting Simeon witness. Like Mary’s Magnificat, Simeon’s prayer Luke records as a prayer for the church. We end Compline, our bedtime prayer, with The Song of Simeon. Mary responded to the angel’s news that she would bear Jesus by saying “Let it be with me according to your word.” Here Simeon prays the same line. “You are dismissing me” or “you have set me free according to your word.” Accepting the impossible and the natural, that the Savior of the world comes as an infant and to them. Anna, a prophet devoted to prayer shows long commitment and insight echoing Hannah, mother of Samuel.
Classic images portray this scene with full bodies of the key adults. In the bulletin and up front is a recent image by Lauren Wright Pittman. Have a look.[i] We mostly see Jesus with Simeon’s hands and arms and Anna’s hands pointing to Jesus.
“The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory … .”[ii] God came down into the world through an old barren couple Zechariah and Elizabeth, through a young, poor, disgraced couple Mary and Joseph, welcomed by outcast shepherds, elderly prophets, and foreign wizards. The Savior of the world comes as a vulnerable child amid oppression and tyranny.
Jesus comes to liberate not grabbing power and wealth but identifying with the poor and needy. Jesus proclaims good news of mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. From infancy, Jesus’ path leads to the cross. Lent is coming. Simeon blesses Mary and says “a sword will pierce your own soul too.” You son will die before you in a tragic way.
Jesus is, in Simeon’s words, God’s salvation for the whole world “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” The “true light which enlightens everyone … .”[iii] Today’s feast is also called Candlemas from this text of Jesus as the light. We use many candles for our prayer. They break through the dark and as for me out on a field can be seen further than we expect. More than cozy, or personal, or for safe keeping, candlelight is for sharing.
As Jesus said, one doesn’t light a lamp and put it under a basket. One puts it out on stand to give light to a whole room. Jesus told to his followers: “You are the light of the world. … Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”[iv] God told Abraham, you are blessed to be a blessing for all peoples. Following Jesus, we keep receiving God’s healing, saving work. As we will sing: “fill me radiancy divine.”[v] We help manifest Good News: that others perceive with their senses. “Let your light shine.”
Amid the darkness of these days, amid fear and chaos, may we be faithful like Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna, persistently trust in God’s salvation coming further. Continue to share the light by standing up to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly.[vi] Speak the truth. Weep with those who weep. Be kind and compassionate. Welcome the stranger. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the true Light, who is here for us and the restoration of the whole world.
[i] https://sanctifiedart.org/advent-and-christmas-prints/center-christ?rq=center%20christ We printed this in the bulletin with a one-time license. Thanks to A Sanctified Art for their great ministry.
[ii] John 1:14
[iii] John 1:9
[iv] Matthew 5:14-16
[v] Christ whose glory fills the skies. The Hymnal 1982 #7
[vi] Micah 6:8
In the past few years, I have become dedicated to the southern Italian version of this feast, Candelora. At the shrine of Montevergine, LGBTQ people, in particular, go up the mountain to seek the blessings of “Mamma Schiavona”: Mary, as she appears (w the Christ child) in an ancient image at the shrine. * As trans people, especially, face so much oppression now (along w other marginalized communities, especially the undocumented!): Mamma Schiavona, pray for us!
*Though sadly not this year, as there was a landslide on the road in November.
What a perfect message for Candlemas. 🕯️
I understand Mary’s sorrow now, as never before ~ “Your son will die before you in a tragic way” ~ as my son died last June in a helicopter crash, while doing conservation science work at the top of Alaska, aged 46. It truly is as being pierced with a sword. The grace comes in knowing he died while faithfully doing the difficult work he was called to.
Thank you, Br. Luke. What a beautiful and timely message.
Thank You Br. Luke, Jesus is the Light of the World. I love that as Christians we are Children of the Light. Hence, Candlemas Day is a favorite of mine during the liturgical year. Thank you for giving us concrete ways of living in the Light, standing up to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly, speak the truth, weep with those who weep, be kind and compassionate and welcome the stranger. These are acts we need to live throughout the entire year.