In today’s Gospel, Luke tells of the Lord’s entrance into the sanctuary, in the most unexpected way, as a weak and helpless baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes. For most Israelites it is difficult to recognise that child as, “the light that enlightens all people,” the Messiah.
Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple and consecrate him to the Lord: they recognise that he is the Lord’s. This is a reminder for all parents that all children are God’s gifts.
The Jewish law prescribed that all the firstborn, both of men and animals, were to be consecrated to the Lord (Exodus 13:1-16). Since children could not be sacrificed, they were redeemed with the offering of a clean animal that was sacrificed in their place. Wealthy parents handed to the priests a lamb, the poor a pair of doves or turtledoves. Mary and Joseph belonged to the category of the poor. They were not able to offer a lamb. Luke is trying to strike the ordinariness in the appearance of that poor family.
Simeon is caught by a sudden shudder, by an uncontrollable emotion on seeing the baby. He holds the child and exclaims: “Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen your salvation” (vv. 29-30).
Simeon, the godly man who has spent many days of his life in the Lord’s temple pondering the scriptures recognises in the newborn the “light of the people”? “He was upright and devout, waiting for the time when the Lord would comfort Israel” (v. 25) and further on he was a man “led by the Spirit” (v.27). These are the interior dispositions that characterise the contemplatives, those who can discern the true reality.
He is the symbol of the faithful remnant of Israel who for many centuries has been waiting for the Messiah. He makes a second prophecy, this time, directed to Mary: Jesus will become a sign of contradiction (vv.34-35).
The image of “the sword that will pierce the soul” was sometimes interpreted as the announcement of Mary’s sorrow at the foot of the cross. That is not so. The mother of Jesus is understood here as a symbol of “Mother Israel.” It is to Israel that Simeon announces the appearance of a deep, inevitable tear. In front of the Messiah, some Israel would be split between those who accept the messiah and otherwise.
Anna, the elderly prophetess who recognised the Lord in the child. Who gave her this spiritual sensitivity? From where does this piercing look come from?
Anna was eighty-four years old and this number—which is equivalent to 7×12—has a symbolic meaning: seven indicates perfection, 12 the people of Israel. Anna is the holy people that come to full maturity, delivering the awaited Saviour to the world.
Anna had remained faithful to her husband to the point of not remarrying. Her choice has a theological significance for the evangelist. Like Simeon, Anna represents the faithful Israel. In her life, the bride-Israel has had only one love.
Then she lived in the mourning of widowhood until the day when, in Jesus, she recognised her husband, the Lord. Then she again rejoiced, like the bride who finds her only love.
•Father Fernando Armellini SCJ
Claretian Publications
bibleclaret.org
Translated by Father John Ledesma SDB
Abridged by Father Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
