Simeon’s prophecy, Luke 2, 22-35

It would be very difficult to imagine a group of people committing original sin without laws, orders, and regulations that help guide the actions of life. They become a guide, guide, help. Laws must not harm. Although they often carry sanctions and punishments, we understand them as useful for society.

Even the Church has its regulations, laws, tea, and things, but they do not deprive us of freedom of decision. Every man who enjoys reason and free will must be aware of the reward or punishment of his life. This Gospel also tells us about the order of the Law of Moses on the day of purification, which reads: “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord”, and that they should sacrifice, as the Law of the Lord preaches, a pair of turtledoves or two pigeons” (Lk 2, 23).

Even Mary and Joseph, who are husband and wife before the world, know the Law of Moses. They know about the Law that God gave to Moses that “every firstborn among your animals and every male will belong to the Lord” The Law continues: “You must redeem every firstborn among your children. And when your son asks you in the future: “What does this mean?”, you will answer him like this: “With a strong hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. Since Pharaoh was reluctant to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborns in the land of Egypt, from the firstborns of humans to the firstborns of cattle. Therefore, I will now sacrifice to the Lord everything that opens the mother’s womb, if it is male, and I will redeem every firstborn son of mine” (Ex 13:12-14). This is to be a sign that the Lord brought the nation out of Egypt. Moses also determines the time of purification in the Book of Leviticus. It was on the fortieth day after the birth of a boy and the eightieth day after the birth of a girl. During all this time, the mother did not appear in public. After the birth of the boy, the mother was considered Levitical unclean for 40 days and therefore underwent a purification ceremony in the temple. Even with this provision, the law reminded the Jews of the general prevalence of sin to arouse in them a desire for mental purification.

Mary was conceived without sin, she became a mother in a supernatural and holy way, therefore she was not sinful and therefore not subject to the purification ceremony. However, out of humility and obedience to the sacred Law – so as not to offend anyone, she submits to this provision and on the fortieth day after giving birth, she goes to the temple to undergo the ceremony and sacrifice her Son to God. We see that the poverty of the Holy Family is manifested even in the sacrifice of purification. The rich were supposed to sacrifice a lamb. Poorer families were allowed relief and had to give two doves or two pigeons as a sacrifice. There lived in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a just and religious man, who expected the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Led by the Holy Spirit, he entered the temple. And when the parents brought the child Jesus to fulfill the Law, he took him in his arms and praised God with the words: “Now, Lord, you will let your servant go in peace according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all nations: light for the enlightenment of the Gentiles and the glory of Israel, your people” (Luke 2:29-32). We see that Joseph is referred to as the “father” of Jesus, although in reality he is only an educator. Simeon’s words speak of the future persecution of this “child”. When they persecute the Son, his mother will also suffer. There will be a sorting of spirits in Israel and in all of humanity. People will be divided: some will follow Jesus, others will stand against him, of course, to their own detriment and destruction. Simeon’s words were later confirmed by Jesus himself during his ministry: “I have come to set the son against his father, the daughter against his mother…” (Mt 10:35). Jesus will also say about himself: “I have not brought peace, but a sword” (Mt 10:34). The law of Jesus can be known nowadays by every cultured person. None of us can pretend that we don’t know him. We also know that ignorance is no excuse. 

Today’s saint – Tomas Becket and the martyrs under King Henry II can also be an encouragement to us. Tomáš is his best friend. He makes him chancellor and together they oppress the Church. After the death of the old bishop of Canterbury, although Thomas resists, the king appoints him bishop. Tomas will change. It is the power of the Holy Spirit, which he received during his priestly and episcopal ordination. Friends became enemies, but only from the king’s side. Thomas defends the Church with his own life. He used to be against it, he was zealous for the king, but after the ordination, he is zealous only for the honor and glory of God. He was forced to flee to England. As a monk, he lives in France. But his place is at home, in England. Here he dies on the steps of the altar under the swords of the knights. The king came to his senses and repented.