GOSPEL READING:
Luke 2:22-3522 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
Meditation: Do you know the favor of the Lord? After
Jesus' birth, Mary fulfills the Jewish rite of purification after
childbirth. Since she could not afford the customary offering of a
lamb, she gives instead two pigeons as an offering of the poor.
This rite, along with circumcision and the redemption of the
first-born point to the fact that children are gifts from God.
Jesus was born in an ordinary home where there were no luxuries.
Like all godly parents, Mary and Joseph raised their son in the
fear and wisdom of God. He, in turn, was obedient to them and grew
in wisdom and grace. The Lord's favor is with those who listen to
his word with trust and obedience. Do you know the joy of
submission to God? And do you seek to pass on the faith and to
help the young grow in wisdom and maturity?
The Holy Spirit reveals the presence of the Savior of the
world
What is the significance of Simeon's encounter with the baby Jesus
and his mother in the temple? Simeon was a just and devout man who
was very much in tune with the Holy Spirit. He believed that the
Lord would return to his temple and renew his chosen people. The
Holy Spirit also revealed to him that the Messiah and King of
Israel would also bring salvation to the Gentile nations. When
Joseph and Mary presented the baby Jesus in the temple, Simeon
immediately recognized this humble child of Bethlehem as the
fulfillment of all the messianic prophecies, hopes, and prayers.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit he prophesied that Jesus was to be "a
revealing light to the Gentiles". The Holy Spirit reveals the
presence of the Lord to those who are receptive and eager to
receive him. Do you recognize the indwelling presence of the
Lord with you?
The 'new temple' of God's presence in the world
Jesus is the new temple (John 1:14; 2:19-22). In the Old Testament
God manifested his presence in the "pillar of cloud" by day and
the "pillar of fire" by night as he led them through the
wilderness. God's glory visibly came to dwell over the ark and the
tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38). When the first temple was built in
Jerusalem God's glory came to rest there (1 Kings 8). After the
first temple was destroyed, Ezekiel saw God's glory leave it
(Ezekiel 10). But God promised one day to fill it with even
greater glory (Haggai 2:1-9; Zechariah 8-9). That promise is
fulfilled when the "King of Glory" himself comes to his temple
(Psalm 24:7-10; Malachi 3:1). Through Jesus' coming in the
flesh and through his saving death, resurrection, and ascension we
are made living temples of his Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians
3:16-17). Ask the Lord to renew your faith in the indwelling
presence of his Spirit within you. And give him thanks and praise
for coming to make his home with you.
Mary receives both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow
Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and he prophesied to Mary about the
destiny of this child and the suffering she would undergo for his
sake. There is a certain paradox for those blessed by the
Lord. Mary was given the blessedness of being the mother of
the Son of God. That blessedness also would become a sword which
pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross. She received
both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. But her joy was not
diminished by her sorrow because it was fueled by her faith, hope,
and trust in God and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples
that "no one will take your joy from you" (John 16:22). The Lord
gives us a supernatural joy which enables us to bear any sorrow or
pain and which neither life nor death can take away. Do you
know the peace and joy of a life surrendered to God with faith and
trust?
Our hope is anchored in God's everlasting kingdom of
righteousness, peace, and joy
What do you hope for? The hope which God places in our heart is
the desire for the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life and
happiness with our heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus has won for us
a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit
(Romans 14:17). The Holy Spirit gives hope to all who place their
trust in the promises of God. God never fails because his promises
are true and he is faithful. The hope which God places within us
through the gift of the Spirit enables us to persevere with
confident trust in God even in the face of trails, setbacks, and
challenges that may come our way.
Is there anything holding you back from giving God your
unqualified trust and submission to his will for your life? Allow
the Lord Jesus to flood your heart with his peace, joy, and love.
And offer to God everything you have and desire - your life,
family, friends, health, honor, wealth, and future. If you seek
his kingdom first he will give you everything you need to know,
love, and serve him now and enjoy him forever.
Lord Jesus, you are my hope and my life. May I never cease to place all my trust in you. Fill me with the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit that I may boldly point others to your saving presence and words of everlasting life.
Psalm 128:1-5
Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
5 The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Simeon and Anna represent both sexes awaiting their Redeemer, by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.
"Simeon and Anna, a man and a woman of advanced age, greeted the
Lord with the devoted services of their professions of faith. As
they saw him, he was small in body, but they understood him to be
great in his divinity. Figuratively speaking, this denotes the
synagogue, the Jewish people, who, wearied by the long awaiting of
his incarnation, were ready with both their arms (their pious
actions) and their voices (their unfeigned faith) to exalt and
magnify him as soon as he came. They were ready to acclaim him and
say, 'Direct me in your truth and teach me, for you are my saving
God, and for you I have waited all the day' (Psalm 25:5). What
needs to be mentioned, too, is that deservedly both sexes hurried
to meet him, offering congratulations, since he appeared as the
Redeemer of both." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON
THE GOSPELS 1.18)
