Every year, the liturgy invites us to celebrate the Feast of Light, remembering the day Mary and Joseph took Baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, just as the Law of Moses says. On that day, on seeing Baby Jesus, a righteous man called Simeon praised God by saying: “Master, now you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in sight of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Jesus is the light of the world. His presence and His word can really enlighten our lives, every man and woman’s live. We are now living in a very difficult time, because the pandemic has brought loneliness, poverty and death to many people. We are also sharing these problems and difficulties in our Faith and Light communities. In fact, it is much more difficult now to meet and celebrate and pray together. Many families are more isolated,but at the same time, our bonds of friendship have become stronger: we’ve been trying to support each other with our friendship and Jesus’ love. Old Simeon didn’t know Jesus and his parents. So how could he recognize Him among so many other parents and babies? Because his heart was full of hope and was waiting for the salvation of Israel. We must ask the Lord to give us a heart and eyes like Simeon’s: the eyes to recognize His presence among us, in our lives, especially in the moments of weariness and darkness, because He is the light of the world. And a heart full of hope to share our love with all our brothers and those who are poor and lonely. Every little loving gesture is like a flame, a small light. Jesus’ love in our hearts can really enlighten the world and bring out of the darkness all those who feel poor and forgotten. Our name, “Faith and Light”, contains the secret of our communities: the light of our meetings comes from our faith and from Jesus’ love.
Happy Feast of Light to everyone!
Don Marco
International Chaplain