I love the early chapters of Luke's gospel which focus on the nativity and incarnation and show a bias towards Joseph and Mary. The presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple is a beautiful narrative full of depth and spiritual meaning and insight. There are two characters mentioned from the Old Testament who I think are quite remarkable and significant persons in salvation history. Firstly Simeon a Jew from Jerusalem who was baptised in the power of the Holy Spirit and blessed with the gift of prophecy. He lifts the Christ-child in his arms and raises him above his head in praise and thanksgiving for the salvation that this child brings to the world. Simeon was a remarkable man and then he clearly points to Mary and through him we get a prophecy that she is the maid without blemish and states that her heart would be penetrated by the sword of suffering - Simeon is the first to show devotion to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary - he sees her as Theotokos, Mother of God. Secondly we have Anna a prophetess and prayer warrior - who never left the temple of God in constant prayer and fasting as a consecrated virgin [a forerunner of all who would choose the consecrated life]. She speaks to all present about Jesus the Christ in their midst and the redemption of the world. These 2 characters had been faithful to the Lord all of their lives and were elderly but God rewards thier faithfulness and we get a glimpse of the great saints from the Old Testament. I would imagine that both Simeon and Anna did not live too much longer after this event - Simeon indeed indicates that his death is imminent, 'Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word'. God had promised that he would live to see the Christ-child and extended his life accordingly but for them death was but a new birth into heaven as the Christ-child would grow full of wisdom and integrity, the light of revelation for all the nations and die upon a cross to open the gates of heaven for all who put their trust in the living God. Luke 2:25 – 2:39 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law, he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said: “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples: the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him. And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted. And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity. And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day. And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth. How many wonderful Old Testament saints we are going to meet in heaven!!
Garabandal, I really love Blessed Anne Catherine Emmirichs book about Our Lady who tells the detailed story of her life and the story of Christ's presentation at the temple! If you hav'nt read it, it should definitely be on your summer reading list! I read mine about 3 mths ago and I'm passing it on to another friend (Yes, I've met a real live person that I can converse with!!) I've also read the story of Mary Magdelene-another fantastic book. The Next one on my list is Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerichs life story, but I'm having trouble getting my hands on it! By the way, hope you're doing OK! Keeping you in my prayers. Siobhan
Siobhain, may you gather many on the road to heaven along with you. I love the way in The Presentation heaven kind of opens and the Holy Family are able, through the witness of other, through grace to see the way ahead. I think we often see this in our own lives, but maybe miss it.
Mario and Padraig, I know this person for a couple of years now but only on smalltalk terms. We both do fundraising for a local pre-school and would only meet up now and then. I went to Divine Mercy Sunday and the most beautiful singing went on for most of the service. I had tears in my eye's! Now to be honest I'm not into religious music, but this really moved me. The next day this girl rang me and said that she saw me at Divine Mercy. I asked her where she had been at the service and she told me she was doing the singing! I know that she does the folk singing down at our local Mass every few weeks or so but I had'nt heard them doing this style before. Well, a couple of weeks later we went out for a group meal with others that help with the fundraising and we talked loads. She's quite involved in other area's of the Church and we agreed to swap books etc. She has given me loads of info about our area and what's going on-things I would'nt be aware of. It's funny how my wish'es get answered! Siobhan
I heard a priest say a nice thing about our faith a few weeks ago , Siobhain. He was saying about how much our path to God is based on community. Right on from the twelve apostles and the institution of the mass and the eucharist, so much of our path is walked together. We are born to be together and that heaven itself is about community, the communion of the saints. I loved to hear this as my own spirituality is about praying alone in a quiet place and I live on my own. But in a wonderful way praying on our own is about going into community for our prayer unites us with the Church, our vocation as Saint Therese being to be love at the heart of the Church. Sometimes at Church I see very,very holy people...well at least I have the feeling they are very holy and sometimes I ask God to let me meet them and have a few words with them or to learn a little more about them and their loves. Meeting people is meeting Jesus especially with our fellow Christians, I think. I notice a couple who come to mass every morning, sometimes I think they are so holy they shine. But because I go to mass at different times in different churches I have observed this about them , they go to at the very least two masses every day, if not more...nor indeed are they the only ones! I love this. A bit like Mary and Joseph meeting two wonderful old folks in the temple and being wonderfully encouraged by them!! Every time we go to Church, it is a little Presentation. I ramble...... :wink:
The posts above reminded me of the idea that there are no "coincidences" with God. Over the years, I have come to believe that each and every person who crosses our path does so for a reason- perhaps God wants us to help them... or perhaps they are around to help us... I suspect that our Guardian Angels are active in this sort of "serendipitous" placement... Anyway, I often find (and usually in retrospect! :roll: ) that God places people into my life that move me along greatly in my faith... I also am fond of the idea of being "used" by God to somehow help another... Like a willing chess piece on God's great board! Uh-oh- Like Padraig, I'm afraid I am rambling too!
When I am work during the week there are 3 Masses that I could go to. So I go to 10 a.m. somedays, 1 p.m. other days and 4p.m. other days. No matter what one I choose I always see a certain blind man at mass. He is elderly and walks with a white cane. He is feeble but very independent and doesent like you to insist on helping him up the church. He has all the steps counted and knows exactly where he is going. He is truly a saint. Mary
Reading these posts is a gift to me. I've been gone on vacation ( and missed the forum ) and to return and find you all here is such a treasure to me. Great inspiration, thank you. Some of the dearest friendships I have are with the people I've met at mass. We all just kind of understand one another and the book swapping is the best. Lee
