2 February 2026 - Candlemas

‘Guided by the Spirit,’ writes St. Luke, ‘Simeon came into the Temple.’  Does this mean that the Spirit guided Simeon on this particular day and at this particular time to go to the Temple.  Or is it more true to say that the Spirit guided Simeon to come to the Temple regularly from one year’s end to another.

The reason why this is more likely is seen in the outcome of Simeon’s visit. What did he see when he came to the Temple? Why he saw a baby in his mother’s arms – no more, no less! Well that’s the point. He did see more! Others didn’t.

The coming into the Temple per se couldn’t make him see more but a long  life lived in the Spirit opened him up to the things of God. He saw in the baby a sign which was going to bring  light to  the Gentiles and glory to the people of Israel.

What authenticates this experience is that the sign didn’t simply bring consolation but also  destruction! Couldn’t God arrange things otherwise? Some would rise and some would fall. And even Mary, the young mother carrying the helpless newborn baby, would not be free from suffering.

‘And a sword will pierce your own soul also.’ is Simeon’s devastating prophecy. Of course, it could have been spoken to any young mother. Isn’t this the vocation of motherhood?  It’s a much more certain scenario than many others.

Immediately, we are transported from the baby in the temple to the man on the cross. And the moving words of the crucified Christ to the Stabat Mater, ‘Woman here is your son.’ And to the beloved disciple, ‘Here is your mother!’  

Comments

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