21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and, when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too."36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, . . .” (Luke 2:31-31)
Like Simeon, I would like to think that I have witnessed the holiness of Mary and the salvation of Jesus in my life with the passing of my mother over nine months ago, and the passing of a dear friend almost a week ago. Through the final days of my mother’s life, my sister Jeanine lovingly cared for her and cradled her in her arms while awaiting the arrival of the ambulance that would carry my mother to the hospital for the last time. She prayed with her and remained steadfast in this devotion until mother was welcomed into the Heavenly Kingdom. Similarly, the holiness of Mary was modeled by a friend who stood at the side of a fellow Christian as he walked the road of the Cross during his final days on earth. In both circumstances, I was called to “come and see” the miracle of such holiness at the foot of the Cross of my beloved mother and friend and share in the sacred moments of what is to come when God beckons me home. Almighty Father, please fill my heart with your grace and help me to be a true model of holiness to all those I meet on my earthly journey. Like Mary, let me be a presence in the lives of my brothers and sisters as I run the race of endurance to my Eternal Home.
Reflection by Maria T. Rey-Hughes, Cooperative, NE
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