Simeon’s Lessons
theophilus December 29th, 2008
I am always amazed at how much we have to learn from the lesser-known figures in Scripture.
Today’s gospel is the story of the Presentation of the Lord, where we meet the old and wise Simeon for the first and only time.
From Luke 2, we learn that he was “righteous and devout” and that he was “awaiting the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
More importantly, he had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw Christ.
And he believed this promise and waited a lifetime for it to be fulfilled.
We learn so much from this story. From Simeon, we learn about perseverance and patience. We learn about faith.
In the silence of his heart, Simeon heard a message from God and did not doubt what he had been told or who had revealed it to him. He took the time to listen. He did not waver in the prolonged time it took for his faith to be justified.
In our world today, we have grown accustomed to instant gratification and “what have you done for me lately.” We want things now and we lose faith when we feel prematurely let-down by someone or something. This impatience permeates our homes, religion, work, culture and politics. We see it in our families, workplaces, Hollywood, sports teams, Capitol Hill, Wall Street, and our churches.
The problem with all of this impatience and our inability to persevere is that it undermines what God expects of us. He asks us to be patient and to persevere in all things. He asked the same of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, the prophets, the apostles, and the saints throughout the ages. Heck, America was built upon the shoulders of those who answered God’s call and spent their lives fulfilling God’s plan for them.
We must do the same. In this uncertain and turbulent world, he needs for us to be patient and to persevere. He is in control and he needs our faith in his plan.
I’m looking ahead to what I want to improve upon in 2009. My lack of patience and perseverance are at the top of the list. I’m going to start with learning one of Simeon’s key virtues; his ability to listen to the Holy Spirit through the silence of his heart. I need to sit still and really listen to God. Then patience and perseverence may be easier to achieve.
- Culture , Faith , Holy Spirit , Liturgy , Prayer , Saints
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