With the nights still long and the sun still very weak, it’s hard for us to imagine the bright, hot days of summer. But we know that in a few months time we will be enjoying warmth and light once more. On Monday we are celebrating one of the most ancient feast of the Church’s year - the Presentation of the Lord, or, as it was traditionally known, Candlemas. During mass candles will be blessed and lit and the Church will be bathed in light. At the gospel we hear the thanksgiving song of Simeon whose eyes have seen the Christ - ‘the Light to lighten the gentiles.’ The feast speaks of Jesus as the one who is being revealed as the light of the world.

In a few months time we will again carry lighted candles and at the Easter Vigil we will celebrate the Light who conquers the darkness. Just as we catch a glimpse of what is to come on those still, clear winter days when the sun can warm us a little, so Monday’s feast helps us catch a glimpse of the central mystery of the Church’s year. The lovely feast of Candlemas points us to the celebration of the Easter Triduum which plunges us into the salvation that Christ has won for us. P.D.