February 2009
One Day It Happened
Recently, I came across a saint I had never heard of before. When praying the Liturgy of the Hours in the Breviary, I discovered St. Sophronius. I found that this “not so well known” Saint helps a person make that one last effort in saying good-bye to Christmas.
Sophronius talks about the feast of the lighted candles carried in procession on the occasion of the Presentation of the Lord, February 2, the feast of meeting God face to face. He points out that we carry these candles in procession, hoping to dispel any darkness or sadness that may be upon us. As we go to meet God, the lighted candles also release light within us, a light that is meant to encourage others in moments of darkness.
We know that Simeon and Anna waited a long time for this moment. Then, one day, it happened. Mary and Joseph brought the longed-for Child to the temple. Mary carried the Child in her arms. What a moment! Seeing him was the crown of their lives. Now, they were ready for anything, even leaving this world. Simeon took the Child in his arms, and Anna came forth and prophesied. We can only surmise that Anna also held the child.
It is no secret. We never stop longing to be embraced by God. But, what would it feel like if the reverse were true, if like Simeon, we held God in our arms? We can only imagine what it would be like. Interiorly, maybe it can still happen.
This is the feast for celebrating the light within us, a light we may not have known was a part of us. It is a day we never want to forget – the day someone held God in his or her arms.
Sister Mary Jo Loebig, O.C.D