I went for a walk yesterday along Governor’s Brook. It’s a remarkable series of trails in our neighbourhood. I walked for a while with a friend whose company and perspectives I very much appreciate. After he left, I continued walking and I stopped to take a few pictures. When I stopped, I was overwhelmed by the sense of silence all around me. Birds started landing on branches very close to me. It was stunningly beautiful.
After my walk, I felt led into our parish church to give thanks to God for my friend and also for some time alone in silence. I hadn’t planned it that way.
I entered the church and saw Sister Anne Marie praying. We had a lovely chat about Kairos and Chronos. Our conversation was a consolation for me. I took a picture of her (above) and went on my way.
In our Gospel reading today Luke tells us about Simeon and Anna. Luke wrote his Gospel “to set down and orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us” (1:1). It was written at a time when the first eyewitnesses were beginning to die.
Simeon and Anna show us how to wait and the source of consolation and peace. I think they show us that waiting involves the soul clinging to a promise but also enduring suffering.
Throughout Luke, and Acts, also written by Luke, the work of the Holy Spirit is on full display. So, through the Gospel reading today, what can we learn about this Holy Spirit? I want to suggest three lessons: Rest, Reveal and Guide.
a. The Holy Spirit rested on Simeon. Simeon was a just man, a righteous man, who was in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit rested on him. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives the Church teaches that the first effect of the Holy Spirit is the forgiveness of our sins. This is the true gift of Divine Love, which is truly God, who takes away the sins of the world. It’s a free gift, unmerited by us. As the Holy Spirit rested on Simeon, so too the Holy Spirit rests on us and grants us the grace of forgiveness. This gives us a taste of peace, this same peace, Shalom, that was known by Simeon.
b. The Holy Spirit guides Simeon to go to the Temple. When we get an experience of this peace, this Holy Spirit resting on us, we are guided to follow where this peace, this Divine Love, leads us. Simeon was guided to the Temple where he encountered Jesus. We too, as a Eucharistic people, are led to the Altar where we too experience the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. We are a Eucharistic people, called to gather in thanksgiving for this great gift.
c. The Holy Spirit reveals something to Simeon. The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he saw the Messiah. The Holy Spirit is One with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit reveals to us, Jesus, the Son, who gives glory to the Father. The Church teaches that the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us, not only Christ’s true presence in the Blessed Sacrament, but also Christ’s true presence through Sacred Scripture and through one another.
As a Sacramental people, when the Holy Spirit rests on us, we receive God forgiveness, we are guided to follow God’s leading to the Altar, where it is revealed to us that we too are sent. We are sent to be people of peace and a source of consolation for all people through our humble, prophetic witness to the Divine nature of Jesus, just as did Simeon and Anna. This is the will of God – Our Mission. It will be accomplished in God’s time, not ours.
Almighty and Merciful God,
in your goodness take away from us all that is harmful,
so that, made ready both in mind and body,
we may freely accomplish your will. Amen.
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