The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true
light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should
carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we
hasten to meet him. The light has come and has shone upon a world enveloped in
shadows; the Dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who
lived in darkness. This, then, is our feast, and we join in procession with
lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that
is yet to come to us through him. So let us hasten all together to meet our
God.
Let all of us, my brethren, be enlightened and made radiant
by this light. Let all of us share in its splendor, and be so filled with it
that no one remains in the darkness. Let us be shining ourselves as we go
together to meet and to receive with the aged Simeon the light whose brilliance
is eternal. Rejoicing with Simeon, let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving to God,
the Father of the light, who sent the true light to dispel the darkness and to
give us all a share in his splendor.
The
Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Giovanni
di Paolo, Siena 1398–1482, c. 1435, tempera and gold on wood, The Metropolitan
Museum of Art. Used with permission.
Meditation by Saint Sophronius.
Meditation by Saint Sophronius.
