Friday 2 January 2024

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Today is Friday the 2nd of February, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘There Is None Like You’. Today we will hear the story of Simeon and Anna’s longing for God, and of the consolation they find in Jesus.

As you enter into this time of prayer, you might like to begin by asking for that same longing and consolation, making the words of this song your own…

There is none like You

No one else can touch my heart like You do

I could search for all eternity, long

And find, there is none like You

There is none like You, Jesus

No one else can touch my heart like You do

I could search for all eternity, long

And find, there is none like You

Your mercy flows like a river wide

And healing comes from Your hand

Suffering children are safe in Your arms

Oh Lord, there is none like You

There is none like You

No one else can touch my heart like You do

I could search for all eternity, long

And find, there is none like You

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 2:22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; 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, saying,

‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 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.’

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by 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.

Imagine yourself in the scene. Picture the temple building. This is not the familiar place of worship; this is holy ground, a sacred place. Notice the people moving to and fro, the murmur of prayers, the clink of coin in the pots, the scent of incense moving through the space. See the nervous excitement of the young couple first arriving, then, moving to fulfil the ritual of presentation for their son.

See Mary and Joseph offer the baby Jesus into the arms of Simeon and Anna. In their desire to keep their son safe how might they feel? Pride? Reluctance? Blessing? Uncertainty?

Simeon’s words, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel”. Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, already recognised as a light to the world and for the glory of God’s own people. How do you imagine the response from Mary and Joseph? There is a lot they still do not know about their son.

For Anna, a prophetess of many years, here is the promise realised for her. Imagine the feelings of these elders, seeing their hopes come to life in this sacred encounter. Leaving the young parents with even more questions.

Consider how this event relates to your own life. Perhaps there is a calling for you to ‘present’ yourself, like Jesus was presented in the temple? To have your own light acknowledged.

As you leave Simeon and Anna to their prayers of thanksgiving, and the little family to their return to domesticity, take a moment to gather your insights.

‘The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.’ A future we might wish for ourselves. In a moment of prayer, present any desires or concerns to the Lord. Ask for guidance on how you might live out the lessons learned today in your daily life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.