For the fall and rise of many in Israel

SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY (Lk 2,22-40)

The history of salvation advances in history through two obediences, which must merge and form only one: obedience to the Law, to the written Word and obedience to the Holy Spirit. Mary and Joseph walk on the path of these two obediences. Their family is the fruit of their obedience to the Law and the Holy Spirit. Simeon and Anna also walk on the same path: obedience to the Law, to the written Word and obedience to the Holy Spirit. Today, Mary and Joseph go to the temple to obey the Law that demands that every firstborn son is offered to the Lord. This law dates back to the night of Easter. The Lord had spared the firstborn of men and animals from death. Every firstborn of both men and animals had to be consecrated to the Lord. The firstborn of men was offered and redeemed. The firstborn of animals, if of a pure animal, was offered and sacrificed. If of an impure animal, it was offered and redeemed. Instead, Simone and Anna go to the temple by the motion of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, they must testify that truly, the Messiah is in the midst of his people. They must cry out that God has fulfilled his promises. When he said, he also did it. Jesus is the light that must enlighten the Father, his truth, his mercy and his faithfulness to every man.

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted  (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

In the Holy Spirit Simeon sees Jesus in the purity of his truth. He is the light that must enlighten the Father, so that every man can know him in his highest, purest and universal truth. But he is also the glory of his people Israel. Never might a people produce such a high, divine, eternal and full of grace and truth fruit. Jesus is the most sublime fruit not only of the children of Abraham, but also among all the children of Adam. Never will humanity produce another similar fruit. This is the one and only in eternity. This truth must also be confessed today. We live in a time of great indifferentism. We want to abolish the difference that must necessarily exist in creation and redemption. We are a humanity governed by foolishness and great ignorance. Jesus is also the sign of contradiction. Before him every heart is revealed in its goodness and in its wickedness, in its good will and in its evil will. Christ is the most pure truth of God and man. Whoever seeks the truth, welcomes Christ Jesus. Whoever does not seek the truth, will always reject Christ Jesus. It is an immortal rule. Every heart will manifest itself before Jesus according to its nature of light or darkness, yesterday, today, tomorrow and always.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints, make us with a pure heart to welcome Christ our truth.