Elderly Simeon knew
He is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel (Luke 2, 34)
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said: ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’ As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ (Luke 2, 22-35)
Elderly Simeon was not expecting a messiah to come and free him from a political yoke but from the much more serious and dangerous yoke constituted by sin. In fact, sin hinders our way to eternal happiness. Simeon knows well that Jesus will irritate all the wicked who want to continue undisturbed committing sins. In fact, Jesus, just by His presence, will expose their true nature. For this reason, His enemies will do everything to silence Him. And not only Him, but also whoever is His true disciple. Ask yourself if you are sincerely searching for Jesus or are you really trying to avoid Him because you are afraid that He will take something away from you?
