Me dear people:

The great feasts of our faith are often linked to the annual cycle of the rise and fall of sunlight.  The wonderful feast of Candlemas, which we celebrated last Sunday, is actually situated at the midpoint between the shortest day of the year and the spring equinox.  With Candlemas behind us, we already we are headed towards longer daylight, more warmth and new growth.  The old man Simeon and the elderly woman Anna had never stopped being amazed by God’s mercy and goodness.  Simeon and Anna never let themselves be imprisoned by their immediate needs and sufferings and troubles.  Their hearts had always been open, because they always knew God does not disappoint.  Of course, God comes always the time of His own choosing.  Sometimes He comes when He is least expected.  He comes as a surprise gift.

In the Church, we have been going through a rough winter. The horrible scandal of the sexual abuse crisis; people falling away from faith. There are no obvious signs of a new springtime of grace.  We are living in a post-Christian country.  God is banished forever.  But is He?  If, like Simeon and Anna, we keep our eyes open and let God surprise us, we shall see God’s springtime budding, we shall see God’s surprise gift, we shall experience His goodness at the most unlikely moments of life!

Padre