THE  SWORD  AND  THE  CANDLE

Tissot

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “The Sword and The Candle.”

Today is the feast of the Presentation – when Jesus is brought to the temple in Jerusalem – and he is presented to the Lord.

The temple in Jerusalem is significant – in much of the Jewish Scriptures – which Christians call the Old Testament – and then in the Christian Scriptures – which we call the New Testament.  Later on in the gospels we’ll hear Jesus speaking – preaching – screaming out things in the temple. He’ll clear it out – yelling, “This is the House of God – but you have made it a den of thieves.”

SIMEON AND THE SWORD AND THE CANDLE

In the temple Mary and Joseph run into an old man named Simeon.

He’ll tell Mary and Joseph that Jesus will be a source of Light – revelation for all people.

He’ll tell Mary a sword shall pierce her heart – translation “You’re going to suffer.”  Translation: “Your heart will be broken.”

As a result he says, People will learn much.

Which is the better teacher, the better source of revelation: Pain or Pleasure? Light or darkness?  The sword or the candle? A birth or a funeral? Baptism or the Sacrament of Anointing – especially when someone is dying?

ME: THE SWORD OR THE CANDLE?

You don’t have to be a professional artist or a good drawer to draw the picture of a sword or a candle.

First the sword…. Later on in Christian history – this text from Luke will name the number of swords – 7. This image – this story of Mary with the 7 swords goes back into our Christian history. 

A religious congregation from 1233 used this image big time – but we see it in Catholic imagery in both the Western and Eastern Churches – from the 1200’s and onwards.

Next the candle. If you look at a candelabra that sometimes appear on altars for benediction or veneration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament – you’ll often see they have 7 candles.  

Similar candelabra – in early Jewish temples had 7 candles.  Menorahs – the candelabra we’re more familiar with have 9 candles – which are lit one day at a time for the 9 days of Hanukah. Christians have  the 4 candles in the Advent Wreath for the 4 Sundays and 4 weeks of Advent.

Suggestion ….  Homework …. Doodle …. Draw 7 swords – on a piece of paper – and on another piece of paper draw 7 candles – and then on the swords name 7 sorrows – swords – that pierced you – and then on that same piece of paper – jot down what those sorrows revealed to you.  Then label 7 lights – wonderful life experiences – and what you learned from them.

Share the exercise with spouse or family or very close friends.

We might learn that one particular sword is too painful to reveal to anyone.

Well at least we learned that about ourselves.

CONCLUSION

Then bring your drawings – your list -  to the temple  - to church – or to the temple of the Lord which is me.

Then say the Nunc Dimittis or what have you prayer. Or reread the last line in today’s gospel: “The child [add your name] grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”         

Amen.