Like all faithful Jewish parents, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord as the Law demanded.(Luke 2:22-40) They were surprised however when two elderly people reacted to them in an unexpected way. The first was Simeon, described by Luke as an upright and devout man. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that before he died he would see the Saviour. He takes Jesus into his arms and proclaims that he is the one expected to bring light to the nations and glory to Israel. He also tells Mary that she would suffer because of her son. Mary must have remembered those words as she stood at the foot of the cross as Jesus died. There was a prophetess there also, an elderly widow called Anna. Luke does not record her words but tells us that she told everyone about who Jesus was. 2,000 years later, the example of Simeon and Anna is a powerful sign for us. We pray, Lord, that, like Simeon, we too may recognise you as the one who enlightens our lives by bringing your message of love to us. Like Anna, may we have the courage to witness to you by our actions and words. We ask you, Lord, to bless your followers, the Presentation sisters, some of whom are living among us in the parish of Te Awakairangi. May we all renew today the promises made when we were presented to the Lord at our baptism.
Don Hornsey.
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