Lumen
ad revelationem gentium! “Light for revelation
to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32).
These
words resound in the temple of Jerusalem, as 40 days after the birth of Jesus,
Mary and Joseph prepare to “present him to the Lord” (Lk 2:22). By emphasizing the contrast
between the modest, humble action of the two parents and the glory of the event
as perceived by Simeon and Anna, the Evangelist Luke apparently wants to
suggest that the temple itself is waiting for the Child’s coming. In fact, in
the prophetic attitude of the two elderly people, the entire Old Covenant
expresses the joy of the meeting with the Redeemer.
Simeon
and Anna go to the temple both longing for the Messiah, both inspired by the
Holy Spirit, as Mary and Joseph take Jesus there in obedience to the precepts
of the law. At the sight of the Child, they sense that it is truly he, the
Awaited One, and Simeon, as if in ecstasy, proclaims: “Lord, now let your
servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your
salvation which your have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for
revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Lk 2:29-32).
Lumen
ad revelationem gentium!
With
his inspired words, Simeon, a man of the Old Covenant, a man of the temple of
Jerusalem, expresses his conviction that this Light is meant not only for
Israel, but also for pagans and all the peoples of the earth. With him, the
“aged” world receives in its arms the splendor of God’s eternal “youth.”
However, the shadow of the Cross already looms in the background, because the
darkness will reject that Light. Indeed, turning to Mary, Simeon prophesies:
“This child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign
that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also),
that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed” (Lk 2:34-35).
-Blessed
John Paul II, The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, 1998
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