Our Evening Song of Gratitude

 

Luke 2: 22-35

Jesus Presented in the Temple

²² When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”, ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, ²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”

³³ The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, ³⁵ so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Every evening the official prayer of the Church, Complin, concludes with the Canticle of Simeon, who had served the Lord and  fervently awaited the coming of the Savior... Here was his moment, and here is ours.  What a great thing it would be for each of us to live our days awaiting and serving the Savior and being able to sing at night that we are ready to be dismissed in peace for we have not only seen the light of salvation, but have BEEN the light for someone else! The gift of light is not for ourselves alone, but to help others find the true purpose and meaning of life:  to love and serve the Lord.  This is our calling; as we are reminded of it this morning, let us live it today and join Simeon tonight singing this peaceful hymn if not with our voices, at least with our hearts.

Bro, Rene