Mary had to be purified forty days after the birth of her son and so arrived at the Temple and was met by Simeon, a holy and wise man who immediately took the child in his arms and gave us the prayer that is said with the night office:
Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
The Holy Spirit was active and, after leading Simeon to recognize the Infant as the "Christ" - "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel", he said to Mary: Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted--you yourself a sword will pierce--so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
That must have given Mary and Joseph much to reflect on but then Anna also came and gave thanks to God for this Child. Mary and Joseph returned to Galilee and to their own town of Nazareth, but their hearts were full of the encounters in the Temple.
Now, what does this Feast fill your heart with as you reflect on the obedience of the parents to the law, the work of the Holy Spirit is revealing the Child as the one to bring redemption to all, and then the prophecy that Mary will be pierced with a sword?
I am sure the Holy Spirit is still trying to reveal Christ to us in many ways each day. I leave you with the following quote:
Most of the things we need to be most fully alive never come in busyness. They grow in rest.
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Mark Buchanan
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