upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort
Israel, and he had been assured, by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord. So he was led into
the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law.
Simeon took the child in his arms, and blessed God, saying, “Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant
in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen your salvation, which you display for all the people to see. Here is the
light you will reveal to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” (...)
Reflection:
Some people spent a life time waiting and looking for something
important. The challenge is to hold on as time goes by and the original
enthusiasm wanes. But Simeon and Anna keep their hopes alive. They
nourished it with their prayer life. Only the strength of the Spirit could
make us hold on through the years without losing hope. And so, on that day
the Child Jesus is presented in the Temple, these two extraordinary humans are
ready to receive that which they have been hoping for. Their joy is complete for
they are made whole by the realization of that which they fervently waited to
happen before they pass from this earth.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021