Episode 2910: When Light Meets Purity - Morning Episode with Sharon

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When Light Meets Purity
The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Candlemas)
Sharon
I'm Sharon, and I'm delighted to share today's rich spiritual reflections with you. Today, February 2nd, we celebrate the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as Candlemas. We’ll look at the Scripture readings from the 1962 Roman Missal, honor the saints associated with this feast, and meditate on timeless Catholic themes. We'll close with a prayer that ties everything together. Let's prepare our hearts as we begin.
Epistle: Malachi 3:1-4
"Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to His temple... He shall purify the sons of Levi and shall refine them as gold and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice."
Reflection:
This prophecy from Malachi speaks of the coming of the Lord to His temple, foreshadowing the presentation of Christ in the temple, which we commemorate today. It also reminds us of the purification that God desires in each of us. Just as gold is refined in fire, our souls must be purified by trials and the sacraments so that we may offer fitting sacrifices of prayer and good works to God.
Gospel: Luke 2:22-32
"And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord... And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon... And he said: Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation."
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel, we witness the humility and obedience of the Holy Family as they fulfill the Mosaic law. Simeon’s prophecy reveals that Jesus is the "light to enlighten the Gentiles." Candlemas, therefore, celebrates Christ as the Light of the World. The Church blesses candles on this day as a reminder that we, too, are called to bear the light of Christ in a darkened world.
Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Candlemas)
This feast marks the presentation of Jesus in the temple and the purification of Mary according to Jewish law. It is a moment of both joy and prophecy, as Simeon and Anna recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
St. Catherine de Ricci
St. Catherine de Ricci was a Dominican mystic who experienced the Passion of Christ every week. Her life was marked by deep devotion and miraculous spiritual experiences.
Spiritual Lesson:
St. Catherine's life reminds us of the importance of uniting our sufferings with Christ and trusting in His redemptive love.
Spiritual Themes and Reflections
Theme: Christ, the Light of the World, and Our Call to Purity
Today’s feast beautifully blends themes of light, purification, and prophetic fulfillment. The blessing of candles signifies the light of Christ that dispels the darkness of sin. Just as Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah, we are called to recognize and proclaim Christ as the light of our lives.
Key Quotes for Reflection:
St. Alphonsus Liguori: “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”
Luke 2:29-30: “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation.”
St. Augustine: “God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.”
Let us empty our hearts of worldly attachments so that we may be filled with the light of Christ.
Conclusion and Prayer
Let us now turn to prayer, asking Our Lady’s intercession and the grace to live as bearers of Christ’s light.
Prayer:
"Almighty and ever-living God, You commanded that Your only-begotten Son be presented in the temple and revealed as the light of the world. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we may carry this light into our lives and dispel the darkness of sin. Purify our hearts as gold is refined in fire, so that we may offer You fitting sacrifices of love and obedience. May Your light shine through us to illuminate the path for others. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen."
Thank you for joining us today. I hope these reflections have brought you peace and inspiration. As we carry our blessed candles and hearts filled with Christ's light, may we shine brightly in a world that so desperately needs the truth. Join me next time for more Scripture, saints, and reflections from our beautiful Catholic tradition. Until then, may God bless you abundantly.