A Moment To Pause: Monday 2nd February 2026 #dailypodcast #scripturepodcast #candlemas #presentation

Good morning and thank you for joining our Oblate short time to pause, reflect and pray together on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, or Candlemas, Monday February 2nd 2026. Thanks to Caroline Shevelan for today’s reflection:  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today is Candlemas, the official end of the liturgical season of Christmastide. In the northern hemisphere there is a little more light. And light is the theme of the feast, the lighting and blessing of candles. Jesus light of the world is presented in the temple and Simeon knows him, like John the Baptist knew him in the womb, like Elizabeth knew. ‘My eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples – a light for the revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel’ And Anna knows him and begins to praise God and speak about the child. The lit candle is a symbol of hope, the smallest flame that dispels the darkness.  In John’s Gospel, Jesus echoes Simeons words and the words of the ancient prophets ‘I am the light of the world -anyone whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life’ Do we know Jesus as the light of the world? As the great light seen by those who walk in darkness or as the small flickering flame that keeps the darkness at bay? Will we light and bless a candle today? We pray for all those whose live in the darkness of fear, hopelessness, loneliness or despair.  We pray for light in our world, especially in the places where the dark feels thick, heavy and immovable.  We pray for the coming of the light. Thank you for joining us.