2 February 2016 - don't miss it

[ Today's Readings ]

Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
But who will endure the day of his coming?

Jesus comes to the temple today. But not as we expect. He is revealed. But only to those with eyes to see it. Simeon is one such person.

This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

He is righteous. He upholds the law. In doing so he prevents his mind from being darkened, weighted down, or distracted by the things of this world. He is devout, faithful to his relationship with the LORD. He allows the LORD to be present in his life. Because he is not distracted by the world and because his focus is on the LORD he is able to receive the revelation of the Holy Spirit "that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord."

We can learn from the focus of Simeon how to not miss the LORD when he is revealed to us. This is essential because this revelation often comes in unexpected ways. Even if he is a child in his mother's arms the LORD can enable us to see the king of glory revealed. His presence comes to us in various ways today, in the poor, in the sick, and in the sorrowful. He comes in the Scriptures and in prayer. If we have the opportunity to behold the Eucharist we see him. We can say with Simeon:

Now, Master, you may let your servant go 
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.

But beyond what even Simeon says we can receive him in Holy Communion. This should fill us with the joy of Anna the prophetess.

And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

Giving thanks is really understating what she does. She goes a little crazy with joy just to see Jesus. How much more, than, should we who can receive him by joyful. We need to start with the devotion and attentiveness of Anna and Simeon so that his coming to us can affect us in the same way. They don't have any special skills that make them different from us. They just give the LORD the time and space he needs to reveal himself.

We have a sympathetic high priest who enters the temple. It is for this reason that his entry is hard to recognize. He looks so much like one of us. 

he had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.

But we must not miss him! Only in him is the freedom and joy we seek.

that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.

He looks like us. But if we give the LORD space he will show us the one who is the "LORD of hosts" and "the king of glory." And we know this we have peace.