Salesian Sr Bridget O’Connell shares a reflection on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a celebration which occurs 40 days after the Nativity. The feast is also known as Candlemas Day. Candlemas day occurs on 2nd of February and it marks the half way point between the shortest day and the spring equinox. No matter what generation we belong to, our calling as followers of Jesus is to a new way of seeing and to be a blessing to one another through our presence.
An old rabbi once asked his students how they could tell when the night had ended and the day had begun.
“Could it be”, asked one of the students, “when you can see an animal in the distance and tell whether it’s a sheep or a dog”
“No”, answered the rabbi.
Another asked, “is it when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether its a fig tree or a peach tree?
“No”, answered the rabbi.
“Then when is it?” the students asked.
“It’s when you can look on the face of any man or woman and see that it is your sister or brother. Because if you cannot see this, it is still night. ”