REFLECTION:



Last night, after the Sunday 5:00 p.m. Mass, a woman stopped to talk story with me about the homily. In just a few words, she captured something profound—something that speaks directly to the light we celebrate in today’s Gospel. She shared that at work she has been facing resistance and tension, and then she said, “People are intimidated not by who we are, but by our light. They experience our light as a violation of theirs. But we can’t diminish our light just because others are uncomfortable. We carry it because we know we are doing God’s will.”

Her words felt less like commentary and more like Scripture brought to life.

In today’s Gospel, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple in quiet faithfulness. There is nothing dramatic about the moment. They are simply doing what faithful people do—showing up, trusting God, and offering back what was first given to them. And yet, in that simple act, the Light of the world is placed into human hands.

Simeon immediately recognizes what others do not. Holding an infant, he proclaims Jesus as a light for revelation. But he also names the cost of that light. This child, he says, will be a sign that will be contradicted. From the very beginning, the presence of Christ brings both peace and tension, joy and resistance.

And that is exactly what the woman after Mass was describing.

Light does not argue or accuse—it simply shines. But in shining, it reveals. And not everyone is comfortable with what the light exposes. Sometimes living with integrity, compassion, and faith can unsettle others, not because we are doing something wrong, but because the light calls forth a response.

Anna stands quietly alongside Simeon, yet her witness is just as powerful. Years of prayer and faithfulness have shaped her heart to recognize God in an unexpected moment. She doesn’t hesitate or soften the truth. She gives thanks and speaks with joy. Like the woman who shared her story, Anna understands that faithfulness over time sharpens our ability to see clearly.

Then Simeon turns to Mary and speaks of a sword that will pierce her heart. This feast is joyful, but it is honest. Carrying the light comes with a cost. To present Christ to the world means accepting that not everyone will welcome him—or those who reflect his light.

This is why the Church blesses candles today. We do not bless light to hide it. We bless it to carry it—gently, humbly, and faithfully. Not to overpower others, but to remain true to God’s will.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord invites us to ask where we may be tempted to dim our light to avoid discomfort or conflict. It reminds us that our call is not to control how others respond, but to trust God and remain faithful.

May we, like Mary and Joseph, offer Christ through our daily lives. May we, like Simeon and Anna, recognize the light when it is placed before us. And may we never diminish the light God has entrusted to us—especially when it makes the world uncomfortable.