Wednesday 02 February 2022
- Bible Book:
- Luke
She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. (vs 36–37)
Background
Today’s text interrupts our journey this week through the Sermon on the Mount in recognition that this is Candlemas, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, when Mary and Joseph offered the sacrifice required for Mary’s purification after giving birth and presented Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem.
At the Temple, they encounter two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, who recognise the infant Jesus as the Messiah and are moved to praise God, to the astonishment of Mary and Joseph.
Simeon had been promised he would not die before seeing the Messiah. His speech (vs 29–32) movingly states that having seen Jesus, he can now depart in peace. His words have become the canticle Nunc dimittis, which has been used in evening services of Christian worship since the 4th century.
The prophet Anna also sees the significance of the baby Jesus presented at the Temple. She has been a widow for a long time, is now 84 years old, and spends all her time worshiping God in the Temple. When she sees Jesus, she praises God and begins to tell others about his role in God’s redemption.
The responses of Simeon and Anna in this story of Jesus’ presentation at the Temple make clear that this is no ordinary child. Their role in Jesus’ story is also an affirmation of the potential for older people to bring particular spiritual gifts to the life of faith, such as wisdom, perceptiveness and patience.
To Ponder:
- What do you value in what we learn of the spiritualities of Simeon and Anna in this passage?
- Have you had any experiences that you interpret as glimpses of God’s salvation?