Siimeon

Altogether, when everything came together through every experience and opportunity of his life to that point, this old man was able to see the Messiah and recognise Him.

Simeon’s Song of Praise (Aert de Gelder)

I have been thinking about the prophet Simeon…  In the Gospel, we are told the story of Simeon who saw Our Lord presented at the Temple by His parents and who was immediately able to recognise Him as God and could say to God that he could now die in peace as he had seen the Messiah…

“At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.  I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.  He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!’  Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.  Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, ‘This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.  As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.’” (Luke 2:25-35).

And I am not reflecting on the reaction of the Holy Family to this news, which was surely not news to them, considering the manner of Christ’s conception and birth, I am thinking instead of Simeon himself.

After all, it is one thing to consider how he spoke in that instant – as an old man who finally saw the Messiah present in that little baby and recognised him – but quite another to think about the preparation required to get himself to that position.

It was surely not the work of an instant for Simeon to be ready to recognise the Son of God.  Surely, there was a lifetime of work on this old man so that he would be receptive of Grace and able to do the duty that God had planned for him.  When he was a little boy, perhaps the various trials that he endured taught him fortitude?  Perhaps when he was a young man, the various experiences that he lived allowed him to grow in wisdom?  Perhaps when he was an old man, the quiet and the time for prayer allowed him to grow in faith?

And altogether, when everything came together through every experience and opportunity of his life to that point, this old man was able to see the Messiah and recognise Him.

And that is what I have been thinking about today as I have been thinking about Simeon…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.