As I write this it is the morning of the Presentation, and all is ready for the evening Solemn Mass. The Presentation is the fortieth day after Christmas, and it celebrates when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. Once they arrive the aged Simeon and Anna are overjoyed to greet the Messiah. The story is only told in Luke's Gospel, and it features the Song of Simeon in which Simeon describes Jesus as the Light to enlighten the Gentiles. Because of this focus on Jesus being the Light, it became customary to bless candles at this feast.
February 2 also serves as a marker between the Incarnation and Passion Cycles of the church. We celebrate the Light of Christ coming into the world since Christmas, but now we also begin to look to the Passion of Christ, especially having heard Simeon's words to Mary: "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed - and a sword will pierce your own soul too" (Luke 2:34-35). Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent is on February 22.
As we approach Lent, there is one remaining Wednesday night study on the Gospel of St. Matthew. The turnout has been wonderful on these Wednesday evenings, and I want to thank Dr. Randy Furushima for the excellent quality of these Bible studies. If you have not attended yet, you have one more chance this coming Wednesday. We have also had the opportunity to pray and sing Compline on these Wednesday nights, and each week the congregation grows into this liturgy more and more. Worship is frequently a skill that we deepen over a period of time, and this past Wednesday was particularly sublime.
Historically these Sundays before Lent have been called the Gesimas (Septuagesima, Sexagesimal, Quinquagesima), and sometimes this period is termed Gesimatide or Shrovetide. Our modern church calendar simply keeps the math of the Sundays after the Epiphany. Nevertheless, it is not too early to start praying and thinking about how you might observe Lent this year. A basket has been placed in the back of the church for your palms; they will be burned for the ashes, and times for Shrovetide Confessions have been posted. Lent will be here sooner than later.
Father Paul Lillie +
