Gospel: Luke 2:22-35
When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, they brought the baby up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to God. And they offered a sacrifice, as ordered in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. There lived in Jerusalem, at this time, a very 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.” His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Know this: your son is a sign; a sign established for the falling and rising of many in Israel, a sign of contradiction; and a sword will pierce your own soul, so that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.”
Reflection:
“A sign of contradiction.”
“How can we know that we know him? If we fulfill his commands.” Saint John points to a life of seeking to do God’s will as the key to being able to know God and recognize his ways. We see this in the example of Simeon in the Gospel, who has been a faithful servant of God all his life. This is why he can recognize the arrival of the Savior when others fail to see it. He has patiently waited for the day of the Messiah, and now he takes the child Jesus into his arms and thanks God for fulfilling his promises. Simeon also declares that Jesus will be a “sign of contradiction.” Thus, to be a follower of the Lord involves being a sign of contradiction to falsehood, injustice and to the ways of the world, accepting that this will imply the cross of rejection at times. As Archbishop of Canterbury, Saint Thomas Becket became a sign of contradiction to King Henry II of England, who sealed Becket’s fate by saying, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” Lord, help us to know you and to follow you faithfully, even when it’s unpopular.
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