by Fr. Tommy Lane
Simeon and Anna were longing for God, and longing for God’s plans to be fulfilled. Simeon was specially inspired to come to the temple at the right time to see Jesus. Anna was in the temple almost all the time, but she was inspired to recognize that Jesus was not like all other babies who were forty days old, that Jesus was the Savior. Both Simeon and Anna had their wish to see their Savior fulfilled when they went to the temple and saw Jesus. As soon as they saw Jesus, they knew that he was the Savior God had promised.
We too long for God. St. Augustine said it so well when he said our hearts are restless until they rest in God. Yes, we are restless, but we find rest in Jesus. So many of the Psalms express beautifully that we find rest in God. Perhaps the most famous is Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is
nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where
he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me;
to revive
my drooping spirit. (Ps 23:1-3)
Another beautiful Psalm expressing our longing for God is Psalm 63:
O God, you are my God, for you I long;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like
a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to
see your strength and your glory. (Ps
63:2-3)
Just like Simeon and Anna, we too long for Jesus our Savior. Just as they found Jesus in the temple, we too have our hopes fulfilled when we meet Jesus here in the church in the Eucharist. Simeon took up the baby Jesus in his arms, and we receive Jesus into our hearts and souls in the Eucharist.
Simeon declared that Jesus was the light of the nations, in other words, the One whom all the nations were awaiting, and we carried our lighted candles in procession to the Church before Mass to declare that Jesus is the light of our lives. Jesus is the only One who can truly brighten any darkness in anyone’s life. Jesus himself declared in the temple, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
© Fr. Tommy Lane 2020
This homily was delivered near Regensburg while on a research sabbatical.
More Homilies for the Presentation of Our Lord
Jesus the fulfillment of Simeon’s and Israel’s hopes 2016
The Presentation of Jesus in the temple: the new priesthood and pure sacrifice 2010
Related Homilies: Handing Jesus over to the Father in the temple 2023
on the Holy Family The Holy Family