The purpose of Consecration is to become the Light

Gospel Thoughts*

*Fourth Week : Tuesday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32*

*First Reading - Mal 3:1-4*

*The Presentation of the Lord*

*Day of the Consecrated life*

*Blessing of the Candles*

*The purpose of Consecration is to become the Light*

*1) Consecration is a beautiful ceremony*

As we reflect about the consecration of Jesus into the temple, we remember our own consecration in the temple when we were very small

Like Jesus, we were brought to the temple by our parents and were consecrated in the temple by our parents 

Like Joseph and Mary, our parents too had many beautiful ideas about our future life, for which they might have prayed earnestly. As a result we are still able to follow Jesus in one way or the other 

Like Joseph and Mary, our parents also with great devotion presented our life in the temple asking for the grace to lead a beautiful life. 

Let's thank our parents for this beautiful ceremony 

*2) Jesus was presented in the temple by Joseph and Mary to become the light*

The purpose of Jesus' consecration is very clear, that is to become the light of the work 

In fact Jesus was already a light and He came to this earth as light. Now Mary and Joseph presented that light first in the temple then to the entire world 

Jesus the light was very much necessary to brighten the lives of those who were living in darkness. 

Later Jesus Himself said *I am the Light of the World* John 8:12

*3) Simeon and Anna are the First one to witness this great light after Joseph and Mary*

The presentation of Jesus was an official proclamation that *He is the Light of the World*

So Simeon and Anna become the first holy persons to witness this light 

This light also penetrated their hearts and minds and they enlightened by this light to know the greater divine realities 

*4) Presentation of Jesus and the  candlelight procession*

On the day of Jesus' presentation we have a beautiful ceremony of blessing of the candles and candlelight procession. 

Burning candle gives a great message, by spreading its light which destroys the darkness 

In fact Life of Jesus is like a burning candle, which destroyed the darkness of many lives 

Jesus the light came into this world to dispel the darkness

*5) My life, my consecration and the light*

On the day of our consecration, the burning candle was given to us, which is the light of Christ itself 

We have told that it is the light of Christ and we need to protect this light until our death

The very burning candle symbolizes our life itself. Our life should become like a burning candle 

In this sense we need to recall wheather our consecration has helped us to make our life a burning candle or not? 

*6) Obstacles, which endanger the burning light of our life*

Our primary mission is to make our life, like a burning candle 

The process of burning candle is not easy : it is very challenging and demanding 

First of all the candle has to sacrifice itself to produce light 

Secondly the candle does not use the light. Light is used by some one else 

It is also important to protect the light from the breeze. If not the light will go off 

There are many kinds of breeze in our life. We need to be very careful about it 

Am I ready to use my life as burning candle?

*God bless you and your family. Praying for  you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*