Day 2 – The Prophecy of Simeon

Day 2 – The Prophecy of Simeon

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation” Luke 2:29-30

The first of Mary’s sorrows takes place as she and Joseph, according to the law of Israel, travel to Jerusalem in order to present the infant Jesus in the temple for consecration to the Lord.  Present in the temple is Simeon, a righteous man, to whom God had promised to reveal the long-awaited Messiah.  Filled with the Holy Spirit at the presence of Jesus, Simeon takes the child in his arms [Luke 2:22-34] “Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’” Luke 2:34-35

Simeon’s simple words threaten the peace that had reigned in her heart.  His open-ended prediction leaves room for all sorts of suppositions and worst-case scenarios to play out in her mind and to stir up worry.

Worry.

How it can steal our peace and roil our hearts!  We all experience it.  It comes about from a combination of love and uncertainty. We desire something good, but don’t know whether we can attain it or keep it in the face of dangers or opposition from all around. Worry. It steals our peace and serenity.

Worry doesn’t come from God. It comes from our own insecurity, from seeing reality in an incomplete way. It comes from focusing on the wrong things. The better part that Christ wants for you is peace, serenity, fulfillment, and joy. Not worry. Not fear. Not insecurity, bitterness, or dread.

The Virgin Mary experiences the temptation to worry just as we do. But she doesn’t let worry rule her and take away the better part. She keeps her heart focused on the Kingdom of God. By reflecting on the past, she derives the wisdom to see God’s loving care and providence not only for herself and her family but for His chosen people; by living in the present, she chooses to live in the reality of God’s goodness, the now of His presence rather than speculating on an unknowable future; by trusting in God’s Providence, she sets aside all worry. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me,” says our Lord in John 14:1.

By faith, Mary transforms her anxiety and worries into a deeper union with her Son and a greater confidence in God’s Providence. With her help, we can do the same. There is no worry that cannot be dissipated by God’s grace and a deeper trust in Him. “Jesus, I trust in you!”

Questions to Ponder:

What do I worry about, and do I trust God enough to relinquish everything to Him?  How can I grow in trust?

Do I pray for the gift of wisdom to allow me to keep perspective and peace even in the midst of trials?

Prayer

Blessed Mother, your life was never free from the temptation to worry. From the angel Gabriel’s announcement until the end of your earthly pilgrimage, so much more remained unknown than known. With Simeon’s prophecy of contradiction for your Son and a sword for you, the whirling winds of worry threatened to steal your peace. But you kept your heart and mind fixed on the Lord’s faithful love to his people in the past, his guiding presence in the present, and his Divine Providence watching over the future. Blessed Virgin Mary, teach me to trust! In the midst of my sorrows and anxieties, help me to find the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding. By believing and trusting in the Lord as you did, I know that my life, too, will be blessed. Bring me, sweet Mother, to my eternal home.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Jesus, I trust in You!