The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home
February 2, 2025 – The Presentation of the Lord- Luke 2:22-40
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Download this simple process to Prepare for Sunday using the Observe, Judge, Act Method
I don’t know if I am as old as was Simon, the elderly person mentioned in today’s gospel who waited and waited to meet the Messiah, but his encounter with Jesus is important to reflect on for all of us, including me. As the gospel implies, this elderly man lived in the hope that on some wonderfully fine day he would meet the one promised by God in his religious tradition as the one sent by God to fulfil the hopes of his people.
As many scholars of that time point out, the air was filled with expectations of such an event. And Simon experienced this moment of fulfilment when Jesus was brought to Jerusalem to be offered as one in the service of God’s chosen people. We might be a little envious of Simon because we may think that we have not enjoyed a similar event. Or have we?
I have long been a student of our shared human nature. I have mostly focused my research on our social life in its many variations. And I have tried to put into practice the art of meeting others in meaningful interpersonal encounters. What the great Jewish philosopher, Martin Buber called the “I-Thou encounter.” Simon seemed to have experienced something like this when he met the child Jesus in the temple. It was a moment of grace, a time when God’s presence and power was there to be received and enjoyed. It likely brought about a deep change in him.
So, the question we face is this: When have we experienced such a moment? A time when we felt God’s loving, forgiving and accepting presence in us?
During my many years of attending to such matters, I have grown to believe that God wants to connect with each and all of us in ways like that described in today’s gospel. In fact, I believe that God is always poised to create such a moment (or many moments) with us. Even with those who are called “non-believers.” Everyone!
Therefore, like Simon in today’s gospel, I wonder if we are hoping for such an encounter to happen in our lives. Or are we too busy, too distracted, too anxious or too focused on own needs to make room for such an encounter? What I take from today’s gospel is that God is there waiting for you and me to be open and receptive. So, take Simon’s advice. Wait patiently and with hope, we may find God coming our way for a visit.
David M. Thomas, PhD