More Reliable than the Groundhog

Forty days after Christmas, we commemorate a unique and dramatic moment. When the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph brought the firstborn to Jerusalem, the eternal Son entered the Temple of the eternal Father.[SPANISH.]

Now, this coming of the Son into the bosom of the Father—this is an eternal thing—the eternal thing that explains everything else. Literally everything.

The only-begotten Word, coming forth from infinite Love, returns, with infinite Love, to His Origin. The triune communion of God, unending and glorious—from this life all things come, and towards this life all things tend.

On February 2^nd, Mary carried the baby into the Temple, and this reality of the eternal triune love became visible on earth. Visible, that is, under a veil. At that moment, the human eye could only see a small, poor family carefully fulfilling the Law of Moses. But the eyes of faith, like Simeon had—they perceived at that moment divine Light, the Light of triune love. Simeon’s eyes perceived the fulfillment of all things in the love that brings the only-begotten Son back to the bosom of His heavenly Father.

When we believe, we see light overcoming the darkness of winter. It is absolutely not a co-incidence that Candlemas and Groundhog Day are the same. Centuries ago the Germans has a superstition that if clouds covered the sky on Candlemas morning, then winter would end early. The custom involving Punxsutawny Phil comes from this superstition getting imported to Pennsylvania.

Some people believe completely in the groundhog, even though statistics demonstrate that he only gets it right 40% of the time. We, on the other hand, believe 100% in the baby Who made this day special in the first place.

We believe in His light. He grew up and died, at the end of winter. But then He rose again, and brought a springtime that will never end.

Groundhog Day with No Variables

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Our Lady and St. Joseph took the Lord to the Temple on the fortieth day after His birth. They fulfilled an ancient law. “You shall redeem your firstborn by offering sacrifice to the Lord, because He slew the firstborn of the Egyptians to liberate you from slavery.”

The Passover. The angel of death passed over the households marked by the blood of the sacrificial lamb. The holy nation marched to freedom. Simeon saw the Lamb, God made man, ready to shed His Blood for His people. So the old man declared our Christian faith: “My own eyes have seen the light of salvation! Peace!”

Whom has God Almighty liberated from slavery? On whose heart has He daubed His own most-precious Blood? Upon whose faces has the undying Light shone?

…What is Candlemas all about? Why do we light the same little tapers we use only today and at the Easter Vigil? Why does the Easter candlelight fill our temple today?

We are the people. God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, master of times and seasons, governor of history—He has made Himself our kind Father. In the covenant consecrated by the blood shed on the cross, the Precious Blood of our Mass.

Frickin’ Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. But we set no store by such frivolous superstitions. Shadow/no shadow does not concern us.

For us, in our temple, February 2^nd has no variables. Light wins. God is light, and His light wins. We are the People God has chosen to be His own. Not because we were good. He has chosen to form His people from the great mass of sinners.

We will march to freedom, because Jesus Christ is our God. In this world we will have troubles. But we rejoice because He has overcome the sin of the world.

Simeon Sees the Turning Point

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“Lord, now you let your servant go in peace. Your word has been fulfilled.” Luke 2:29

Every once in a blue moon, the 40th day after Christmas falls on a Sunday, and we all celebrate the feast of the Presentation together. It’s been 11 years since the last time. I was a transitional deacon then, in Silver Spring, Maryland. That was a winter when we had two blizzards in one week. There was a convent of nuns at the parish where I was living. I took it upon myself to shovel the walkway from their house to the church, so they could get to Mass. The snow was piled three feet deep. It took all day.

Anyway, this feast marks an end, and a beginning.

The Labor of Bees

Speaking of bees buzzing busily and their wonderful wax…

Your unworthy servant will minister as subdeacon at solemn ceremonies for Candlemas.

The procession and traditional Mass will held at St. Bernadette parish in Silver Spring, Maryland, on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

All are welcome. Bring your Tridentine Missal so you can follow the beautiful prayers for the blessing of the candles.

Feast of the Presentation Homily

Statue of St. Jerome near Sheridan Circle in Washington, by Ivan Mestrovic

Every word in Sacred Scripture is precious. We do well to read the Scriptures as much as we can.

Forty days after Christ was born, our Lady and St. Joseph followed the prescription of Exodus 13:1-2: “The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “Consecrate to me every first-born that opens the womb among the Israelites, both of man and beast, for it belongs to me.”

Somebody up there doesn’t like me…

First the poor Hoyas went from the basement to the sub-basement.

Then the pretty boy beat my man Roger.

Now, to give Rafi his due, he is incredible. His skills are amazing. But that is not the most impressive thing. As Dick Enberg put it: “Nadal does not play the score.”

Forget Everything I Said

Blatche armpit sandwich. Check please.

I do not like the cold.

Also: last month I said that I did not like the gimmicky throw-back Wizards uniforms. Why masquerade as the “Zephyrs?”

But you can forget about all that nonsense on my part.

The Wizards can wear the Zephyrs uniforms whenever they want. And it can get down to zero degrees whenever it wants. No problem.

The Knicks owned the third quarter tonight. But–and I am NOT making this up–the WIZARDS owned the fourth quarter.

Yes, you heard that right. No, you did not misread. The Wizards dominated the fourth quarter of the game. There are four quarters. I.e.: The Wizards actually WON the game!!

2) If you are a dyed-in-the-wool Michael Jackson fan from youth like me, you might enjoy this astoundingly creative cover of one of his obscure hits. Who would ever have thought to cover “Smooth Criminal?” And like this? (NOTE: If you are not a dyed-in-the-wool Michael Jackson fan from youth, just skip this.)

Alien Ant Farm

C) The ovewhelming majority of voters declared that Christmas ended this past Sunday. I find this very depressing.

Can’t we have Christmas until at least February 2nd?

When He was 40 days old, they took Him up to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer Him to the Father.