Breaking the Word

Christmas Octave, Thursday – 30^th December 2021 — Gospel:  Lk 2,36-40

Balanced Character

Luke is fond of pairing male and female figures in his narrative. The role of Simeon and Anna in the Temple at the end of the birth narrative balances the role of Zechariah and Elizabeth at the beginning of the narrative. Anna’s character and piety are emphasized, but not her words. She was a descendent of a family from the northern kingdom, and a devout widow, advanced in age. Anna evidently married young and was widowed seven years later. Anna’s blessing, though not recorded, is characterized as praising God and speaking about the child. Luke makes Simeon utter many words while Anna’s words are never described. However, Anna’s prophecy matches to Simeon’s oracles.  The reference to “all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” balances the description of Simeon as one who was “looking forward to the consolation of Israel”.  Simeon and Anna declare that Jesus is the one who will bring salvation for Israel, but not all would receive this salvation.

Anna spent the majority of her life in the temple grounds. Being in relationship with God allows her to know the uniqueness of the infant. As a prophetess, she perceives the holiness and specialness of the newborn child brought into the temple on the day of ritual presentation and purification of his mother. She humbly teaches about persevering in prayer and fasting for an answer, “Let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Jas 1,4).

Christmas Octave, Wednesday – 29^th December 2021 — Gospel:  Lk 2,22-35

Living in Simeon’s Spirit

The Gospel consists of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the purification of Mary and the Song of Simeon. Simeon is introduced immediately after the two big events: the presentation and the purification. He too, like Zechariah and Elizabeth, is described as “righteous”. He is also “devout”. He lived in the Spirit and allowed himself to be led by the Spirit. The Spirit, who had revealed to him that he would not see death until he saw the anointed one, is the same Spirit who rests on him and gives him utterance to speak. His expectations were met. Inspired by the Spirit, he came to the temple as Mary and Joseph arrived with Jesus. He looked forward to the restoration of the people and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive work. In the hymn of praise, he declares the faithfulness of God and the redemption of the people. Simeon embodied a soul who seeks first the kingdom of God (Mt 6,33) and received all else from God’s hand. Simeon was intimate with the divine. To be so connected, Simeon possessed God’s will, purity of intention, and great love.