(You can listen to this reflection here. Sunday's gospel reading is here.)
How did Mary and Joseph feel on that visit to the Temple? They were there to “redeem” their first-born with purchased sacrifice, and Mary had to undergo ritual purification after the “uncleanness” of giving birth. The Law commanded a set number of days for a mother to wait to be deemed “clean” again. (33 if she gave birth to a boy, 66 if a daughter…) Strange enough to be on such momentous errands in an intimidating place. Stranger still to encounter this old man, his eyes lighting up as he spots your baby, his hands reaching out to take him from you.
“…and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God… And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.”
But that’s not all Simeon had to say: “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 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’”
Those are cryptic phrases, “the falling and rising of many,” and “a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.” Yet isn’t that exactly what happened in Jesus’ ministry? He was a change agent to whom people responded by rising or falling away. He became a figure of controversy. Indeed, the true thoughts of those who opposed him, the religious leaders, were often exposed as corrupt and self-protective. In many ways, Jesus still functions as a touchstone, inciting the best and the worst of human behavior and thought.
How do you present Jesus to people in your life? Do you introduce him comfortably to people who know you are a person of faith? Do you use his name in company? If it feels awkward, use his name in private more often, in prayer conversation with him, building your relationship.
Going deeper, are you ever called upon to offer a defense of Jesus, or of Christianity? (Hint – keep the focus on Jesus, not on his followers...) How do you give account of the hope that is in you?
There is a poignant element to this story. How must Mary have felt, hearing “…and a sword will pierce your heart also?” Did she remember those words as Jesus became wildly popular, then controversial, then marked for execution? Even in his infancy Jesus was our savior, on the path to redeeming the world. Our Good News encompasses pain and betrayal as well as life and freedom, just as our lives do. Jesus walked that road for us, and now he walks it with us.
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