Word to the Wise
Sunday, December 28, 2014 - The Holy Family - B (optional; new)
[opt: Gen 15:1-6; 21:1-3; opt: Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40]Now, Master, you may let your serant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which ou prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. [Luke]
The words quoted above are recited every evening at Night Prayer (Compline) in the Liturgy of the Hours (breviary). They are spoken by an elderly prophet named Simeon to Mary and Joseph (and the infant Jesus) in the temple when they bring the baby to "redeem" him according to Mosaic Law. The words are a personal thanksgiving because Simeon had some kind of revelation from the Holy Spirit that the child in front of him would be the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel and a promise made to Simeon that he would see that fulfillment before he died. We can understand what a joy that must have been.
However, the remainder of what Simeon has to say is pretty somber when he predicts that the "child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted...." and that Mary would herself suffer.
We celebrate this scene in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary under the title of the "Presentation." We also celebrate it on the feast of the Presentation in February. However, in celebrating, we should recall that the infancy narrative is actually a "mini-gospel" and that Jesus' entire life is contained in the narratives about his birth and early days. The Holy Family would be sorely tested during Jesus' ministry. I think the value of the feast is not so much in promoting an image of an ideal family as it is in showing a real family that would have its ups and downs like ours. We can be happy for Simeon, and be grateful for the gift of salvation which may mean hard experiences ahead. AMEN
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