February 2.  Candlemas/Presentation of the Lord. Joan, the catechist explained to families that this feast brings to an final end the 40 day Christmas season. It is also known as Candlemas to remind us again that Jesus is the Light of the World in contrast to the darkness of sin.  The feast commemorates the ritual purification that was a normal Jewish tradition after childbirth. As in African cultures in Jewish culture there was a great reverence for blood as a seat of life. Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus to be presented in the temple and made the offering of the poor of two turtle doves.  Simeon and Anna, two elderly persons living in the temple were inspired by the Holy Spirit, recognized the little family, and warned Mary of the way ahead and the crosses she and her son would bear.  For us today ae the elderly the ones to remind us of our culture?    (For an overview of the February theme visit the website)

When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. From Luke 2:22-40. 

Pope Francis. The concept of culture is valuable for grasping the various expressions of the Christian life in God’s people. It has to do with the lifestyle of a given society, the specific way in which its members relate to one another, to other creatures and to God.  EG1152, Reflect and share. .