RBWords

     Nowadays, when I am invited to celebrate the sacrament of baptism for an infant, it is usually for a family that I know fairly well.  I at least know enough of the family history (from having prepared the parents for their marriage) to be able to wonder about the future of the child!  I am now beginning to baptize the children of the children!  All I can say is that it is a good thing I didn't get too specific in my "predictions."  There have been many surprises!  The story of a life can really only be told once that life is ended!  It is then that one might discern major "themes" and directions!  In telling the story of Jesus' life, each of the gospels has a different viewpoint of that life.  The Gospel of Luke uses the "infancy narrative" to serve as a kind of "overture" to the whole story which would include the Acts of the Apostles.  Today's passage contains one of those "predictions," which is expressed in the words of Simeon.  Jesus is described as the fulfillment of God's word and the savior of all nations.  Simeon also warns that he will be persecuted and that his mother would suffer intensely.  All of this would take place.

     We celebrate this scene as a feast on February 2nd - the Presentation of the Lord - and as the second joyful "mystery" of the rosary!  The joy of Simeon in realizing his own hopes and dreams - he represents all of us in celebrating Jesus' birth - is tempered by his prophecy and by such liturgical observances as the martyrdom of St. Stephen and the Holy Innocents!  Perhaps it is a good thing that we cannot tell the future of any given child with any certitude.  AMEN