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Text for the Month

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 6:4

For many, February feels like a non-month - a limbo between the festive highs of December and the first signs of spring. Obviously, they are wrong because it is my birthday month! But I can understand why it feels like a No-Man’s Land of cold, clouds, and darkness.

Yet, in many places - Rome included, where I recently visited - Christmas celebrations do not end until February 2nd. This is the Feast of Candlemas, once called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Candlemas is a festival of light, often marked by a candlelit procession, inspired by the words of Simeon upon seeing the Christ-child: "You are a light to enlighten the nations and the glory of your people, Israel."

 

But beyond being a celebration of light, it is also a reminder of worship. What is worship? Or rather - what do our lives revolve around? Money? Power? Status? Politics? Football? Shopping?

 

If we take a hard look at our thoughts, actions, and priorities, we will see what truly sits at the centre of our lives. Whatever that is - whether one thing or many - that is what we worship.

 

As Christians, God is meant to be our centre. Everything comes from Him; without Him, there would be nothing.

The Bible warns of false gods and idols - things that distract us, pulling our focus away from Him. The temptations may look different today, but the struggle remains.

 

Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation, calls us back to right worship - ortho-doxy, in its truest sense.

God at the centre. Because all comes from Him, and without Him, there would be nothing.

 

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

Father Tim Handley, St. James's Church, Sussex Gardens

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