Simeon was able to take Jesus in his arms : How it was possible for Him?

Gospel Thoughts

*Christmas Season : 29th December

*GOSPEL - Luke 2:22-35*

*First Reading - 1 Jn 2:3-11*

*Simeon was able to take Jesus in his arms : How it was possible for Him?*

*Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God*

*1) Simeon was a saintly man* 

According to the Gospel, Simeon had the following qualities

*A) He was righteous Man* 

*B) He was a  devout person*

*C) He was waiting for the Messiah, who would bring consolation to the people of Israel*

*D) He was filled with the  Holy Spirit*

*E) He had divine revelation and divine favour to know and experience the Christ of the Lord.*

*F)  The Temple had become the very dear and special place for him to spend time in prayer and to experience God*

These are the various things which led Simeon to have Jesus in His arms.

*2) The feelings of Simeon when he took Jesus into His arms*

A) He considers himself as the servent of the Lord 

B) He was fully  satisfied with the peace of mind to see Jesus and to hold Him in his arms

C) He feels that by seeing Jesus, his own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people

D) He considered Jesus as the light, which  reveals the salvation to the entire nations

F) Jesus is the Glory of Israel

These are the wonderful feelings of Simeon as he took Jesus into his arms

*3) Simeon was also able to reveal the definate mission of the Lord* 

A) Jesus  is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel

B) He will be a sign of contradiction

C) His mission will be like a  sword which will Pierce the thoughts and hearts of many

Simeon was able to foretell about the nature of Jesus' Mission, since he was a holy man

*4) Jesus in our arms and in Hearts*

Like Simeon, we too are blessed to take Jesus in our arms and in our hearts 

Every time when we celebrate, the Eucharist, we receive Jesus in our arms and also in our hearts. It is a great blessing which is given to us, for becoming Christians 

But the Question is like Simeon, will some one speak about us 

That ee are Holy 

That we are devout

That we are filled with the power of the Holy Sprit 

That we are waiting for the good of our brothers and sisters and also our neighbours 

That we are really worthy to receive Jesus in our arms? 

*5) The prophesy of Simeon and our prophesy*

Simeon was able to prophesy about the mission of Jesus 

Will I be able to know the prophecy about the mission of the Lord to my own life? 

Will I be able to understand the effects and consequences of receiving Jesus in my arms and in my heart

*6) Depending on the depth of our spirituality, the divine things will be revealed to us*

Divine things were revealed to Simeon, because his spirituality was very deep 

Even after receiving Jesus in our arms and in our hearts, if the divine things are hidden from us, then my spirituality is very shallow 

*7) Let's make use of this great blessing*

In spite of our unworthiness, we have been given a great chance, to receive Jesus in our arms and in our hearts 

Let's make use of this opportunity to know the divine realities and to prepare ourselves for the mission of the Lord. 

Blessed is the one who tries to know the divine realities, through the given opportunities and  blessings 

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*