LIGHTBEARERS LIKE MARY
Flashback: Jubilee Year 2000, February 2. It was a beautiful and sunny morning, on the tail end of the winter season. There I was, so blessed to be able to attend and participate in the Pontifical Mass in St. Peter’s Square on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. It was the Jubilee for the Consecrated Life. It was probably the single largest gathering of religious sisters, priests and brothers ever. I will forever be grateful for the chance to take part in it.
But apart from the numbers and the solemn rituals during that singular event, let’s not forget that the Feast of the Presentation is also a Marian celebration. Even if it focuses on Jesus as a child, there is an unmistakable Marian and Filipino character to it. In fact, this happens to be the feast as well of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria. The term has something to do with candles, and this is because of the special ceremony preceding the Holy Mass on this feast today. The famous statue in Jaro, Iloilo, in fact, depicts our Blessed Mother also holding a candle with her right hand.
The lighted candle reminds us today of the One who came to be the Light of the world — the light of those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and a revelation for the people of God and for all the nations. As a person consecrated to God through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, a religious sister, brother and priest are “candle holders” as well. They bear the light of Christ, letting it shine through a world still perhaps in darkness.
Say a special prayer today for all religious men and women all over the country, all over the world. May our Blessed Mother herself be their guide. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTION: Remember five religious men and women who have touched your life and say a prayer for them.
Father, I commend to You all religious men and women all over the world. May Your light continue to shine through them. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment