Celebrating The Fulfillment Of A Promise

29 Dec

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”  (Lk 2:25-32)

We continue our celebration of Christmas on this Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas.  As we do so, we are presented with the story of Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple.

Joseph and Mary brought their child to the temple in order to fulfill an obligation under the law, an obligation that all parents dedicated their newly born sons to God.  Mary and Joseph knew that their child was special.  They were not going to “cut any corners” though in raising Him.  They would make sure that they fulfilled the prescriptions of the law and teach their child to do the same.

When they went to the temple, they encountered two people.  One was a prophetess who celebrated and announced to everyone the glory of the child.  This part of the Gospel was not a part of Mass today.  However, the second person to encounter the child was a part of our Gospel reading:  Simeon.

He was a holy and upright man who was promised by God that he would not die until he had seen the Promised One.  And, as promised, Simeon encountered Joseph and Mary bringing their child to the temple.  He proclaimed a canticle that the Church uses each day at Night Prayer.  Before we go to sleep, we pray, “Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled…”

Can you imagine living with such a promise as the one made to Simeon?  What hope would fill our hearts if we were told that!

The truth is, we do live with such a promise.  We have been promised that if we remain faithful to the Lord in this life, we will have the opportunity and joy of living with Him for eternity.  Let the joy of Christmas fill your heart this day so that your choice to follow the Lord may come easily to you.

FAITH ACTION:  When you are ready to go to sleep this evening, pray Simeon’s canticle with the rest of the Universal Church:

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,*
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.