Read Luke 2:21-52
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people’”
Luke 2:25-31
The Lord had promised this old holy man Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he would die. Maybe he was told about this when he was much younger. Many years had passed until one day he knew in his heart that the Lord was telling him “this is the day. Today when you are in the Temple you will see the Saviour.” Who was Simeon imagining he will see? A strong ruler? a holy Pharisee? a young brave Zealot warrior? a wise elderly man? As the young couple Joseph and Mary came into the temple, the Holy Spirit must have whispered in his heart: “Look, there he is”. And who did Simeon see? A little baby.
Simeon’s name comes from the Hebrew word for ‘shema’ which means ‘to listen.’ He surely lived up to his name. After all, the first commandment to love God with all our heart, mind and soul begins with the word ‘Hear O Israel’. To listen to the Lord we must be attentive and then wait patiently for God to fulfil His promises in our life even if they take a long time. Today the Jews not only recite the 'Shema' but it is written on a scroll that is placed in the mezuzah (a small box) affixed on the right side of the doors of a Jewish home and the gates of Jerusalem. It is also found in one of the compartment of the phylacteries, a small black leather cube-shaped case worn by devout Jews on their head and around their arms. You will certainly see them when we visit the Western wall.
Do you take time in your busy schedule to quieten down and pray? This helps us become more open and sensitive to what God wants to tell us in our life.
Lord, how amazing you are. You came to us in a vulnerable child, in defenceless love. How you turn around our ideas of greatness. Lord, give me the grace to be like you and not to be afraid to let myself be loved by you and others.