Today’s gospel from St. Luke is the narration of the Presentation in the Temple. The presentation that was required 40 days after Jesus’ nativity to complete Mary’s ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn son, in obedience to the Torah (cf. Leviticus 12, Exodus 13:12–15). It is then and there that the Holy Family encountered Simeon who had waited a lifetime.
Simeon possessed a patience and faith most of us do not possess. At the moment of the promised encounter, he prays one of my favorite prayers, prayed nightly in the Divine Office – my prayer at the end of the day:
“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 the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
Simeon was ready. He had spent a lifetime to become righteous and devout.
I would not be so bold as to hold my hand aloft and claim the same stature. I was created in the image of God – and since then I have collected flotsam and jetsam from the wreckage of the world in patterns of thought, attitudes, habits and being. Things that are not of God, not for God and, not always with God. Simeon was attentive to the things of God; I want to be. I am not always.
The first reading tells us: “This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked” (1 John 2:5-6)
I have faith in Jesus’ promise of salvation. That is not for me to doubt. What is for me is to be attentive to the walk I am walking. And be patient for the day the Lord appears. Maybe it will come suddenly. Maybe I will have to wait a lifetime. Maybe it will not be in my lifetime.
Until then, Master let your servant go in peace. My final words of each day, readying for another day of faith.
Image Credit: Giotto di Bondone, Presentation of Christ in the Temple | Lower Church in the Basilica of San Francesco, Assisi | PD-US