Luke 2 : 22 - 40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 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 Messiah 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: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The child´s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
She fasted and prayed...day and night...never left the temple. Now that's dedication. Even if we had this kind of dedication we don't live in a world where we can sit in a temple all day and be with God. The show must go on as they say. We must move our feet as we pray. Everything we do and say must become a prayer and we must strive to always be in communion with God.
ReplyDeleteThen there is Simeon who was chosen by God you might say. Chosen by God to bless JESUS. That's quite an honor. Perhaps it is partly because he had someone watching over him and proclaiming his greatness that he went on to become strong and filled with wisdom. The favor of God is upon each one of us in a similar way. He sends people into our lives to build us up and give us the confidence and the challenge to be men and women of faith and conviction. Likewise, we are to encourage one another rather than tear one another down. It is then that we receive this holy wisdom.
Sometimes I feel I’m Simeon...I’m sort of in this holding pen, waiting for Jesus to come out and reveal Himself to me. However, I have not been told by the Spirit that He is coming directly my way. However, instead of going out and seeking God myself, I find myself complacent at times, almost like God should be coming to ME especially in hard times. This passage reminds me that I need to be looking for God in everything…most importantly though, in the more ordinary things. I’m always reminded of that when I hear the words “Ordinary Time” in the church year…that God doesn’t always show Himself through fancy bells and whistles, but rather through more daily occurances. Here’s to praying for more grace and patience to seeking His prescence and knowing that I WILL see God if I seek and wait for Him just like Simeon and the woman.
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