Advent 1 Midweek-Simeon's Song-St. Luke 2:28-33

‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.’ (Psalm 19:14) Amen.

In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

‘And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.’ (V. 33)

Those who are parents, have you ever been surprised at what another knows about your child? If someone says what wonderful things our child will do when he or she grows up, this pleases us. We are delighted to hear someone else say what we already were sure of.

Simeon goes beyond this for Mary and Joseph. They were pleased as punch as any two parents would be when someone else says wonderful things about their son. Even after eight short days, the two of them knew what the angel, Elizabeth, the shepherds and the rest had told them about this little boy. These two had been telling everyone what wonderful things their new son would do once he grew up.

The others, both family and friends, who heard this boasting probably, thought that Mary and Joseph were just like any other young couple. This, even if they were a bit too over the top with the praise they heaped on this little one. Understandably, these parents were a bit surprised when someone else spoke this way about their boy. After all, they probably had not done much sharing of Gabriel’s actual words.

‘“For my eyes have seen your salvation.”’ (V. 30)

We usually think of these words from Simeon’s perspective. Have you ever thought of this from your perspective, or our perspective? What does this statement of Simeon’s song have to do with you? After all, the Holy Spirit does not include things by accident or just for fun. There is always a purpose. What these words are getting at is that of submission. Yes, that is correct. We are all to submit to our God and Lord. Why?

Well, what has God done for you? Our heavenly Father sent Jesus, His Son, to take on flesh and be your Savior. That is, your salvation. So, we subject ourselves to God because of the gift He has given to each of us. As the Psalmist reminds you and I: ‘For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.’ (Psalm 61:3)

As He states, Jesus is from God. He is also Himself God. As your Savior, He supports you in your weakness. He corrects you in the disturbance of sin in your soul as you are tempted. That is, Jesus, God, has mercy on you in your weakness.[1]

‘“A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”’ (V. 32)

These words also speak of you and me. We are, after all, the Gentiles that Simeon speaks of here. These words relate you us a mystery that had been prepared for each of us from before the foundation of the world. It was not until these last dark ages of the world that our Father saw fit to manifest the mystery of the incarnation of His Son to all of us. Here at the end of time, in this sinful world, was Jesus made flesh.

Before we had come to know our Savior, we were captive in darkness and error. We had fallen under the yoke of the devil. His hand pressed down on us subjecting you and me in servitude to the creature rather than serving the Creator. It was to such created things as precious metals and domestic animals that we attached the honor due only to God (1st Commandment). In reality, serving and worshipping such created things is serving and worshipping the ancient dragon, the author of evil, and the throng of his demons.

It was only at the coming of Jesus in the incarnation of God that the Father gave us the true Light. The Son, through the blessed Evangelists, Matthew Mark Luke John and Paul, has lightened the whole world by the light of the Gospel and the true Light of Jesus, the Son. Now, you and I no longer serve created things but thankfully serve God who is our Salvation.[2] Mercy in Christ, the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life, is now yours.

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

[1] ACCS NT vol. III p. 49. St. Basil the Great Homily on Psalm 61.2.
[2] ACCS NT vol. III p. 50. St. Cyril of Alexandria Commentary on Luke, Homily 4.