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Saturday, 02 January 2010 21:10 |
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The Epiphany of the Lord
THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON
The Holy Family in the temple. The meeting with Simeon. Our meetings with Jesus.
When the days of Mary’s purification were completed, the Holy Family again went up to Jerusalem to comply with two precepts of Mosaic law: the purification of the mother, and the presentation and ransoming of the first born! (cf Lev 12:2-8; Exod 13:2,12-13).
Neither of these laws was binding on Mary or on Jesus, by reason of the virgin birth and the fact that Jesus was God. Nevertheless, Mary wished to fulfil the Law. In this she behaved just like any other pious Jewish mother of her times. Mary, says St Thomas, was purified so as to give an example of obedience and humility (St Thomas, summa Theologica, 1-2, q1, a2).
Jesus was offered to his Father in the arms of Mary. Never had such an offering been made in that temple before and never again would there be another like it. The next such offering would be made by Jesus himself, outside the city, at Golgotha. And now, thousands of times a day, Jesus is offered in the Holy Mass to the Blessed Trinity, as a sacrifice of infinite value.
When they arrived at the doors of the temple, an old man named Simeon introduced himself to them. He was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him (cf Luke 2:25). He came into the temple inspired by the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:27). He took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said: ‘Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel’ (Luke 2:29-32).
Mary and Joseph marvelled at the things that were said about Jesus. This old man had been counted worthy to recognise the coming of the Messiah, unknown to the rest of the world. His whole existence had been a fervent expectation of the coming of Jesus. At last the purpose of his life has been accomplished. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace…
With permission from Scepter UK. Short excerpt from IN CONVERSATION WITH GOD by Francis Fernandez. Available at SinagTala or Totus Bookstore 723-4326 or at www.totusbookstore.com (info@totusbookstore.com)
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