Presence

As I sit here, the beating of my heart,
the ebb and flow of my breathing, the movements of my mind,
are all signs of God’s ongoing creation of me.
I pause for a moment, and become aware
of this presence of God within me.

Freedom

I try to let go of any prejudices and narrow-mindedness
that may be clouding my vision at this present moment.
I hand them over to God’s merciful care, so I can pray in freedom, truth and clarity.

Consciousness

There is a time and place for everything, as the saying goes.
Lord, grant that I may always desire
to spend time in Your presence,
to hear Your call.

The Word of God

²²When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), ²⁴and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

²⁵Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.^{, 27}Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

²⁹“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, ³⁰for my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, ³²a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”

³⁶There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

³⁹When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

Inspiration

Simeon, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, recognises Jesus as the Messiah. He prophesies that he will be opposed. No human life is without its difficulties. To be true followers of Jesus we must take up our cross daily.

Mary’s own sword of sorrow will take her to the foot of the cross to be present at her Son’s execution. Her yes to God at the Annunciation included all that would happen in her life. We pray to accept all the events of our own lives and to see and accept them from the hands of God.

Conversation

Dear Lord, help me each day
to seek Your presence more and more.
Fill my heart with love for You.

Conclusion

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Amen