“A Light, a Sword, and a Crazy Old Woman“, by Rev. Peter von Herrmann
How would you feel if you came to worship today and somebody stood up in the middle of the service and started proclaiming that one of our church’s children would transform the world? How would you react? What about if someone said to some parents that their child would be the salvation of the world?
I for one would be shocked, confused, and concerned about the people saying these things. I’d be completely uncomfortable and try to move on as soon as possible. And honestly, I’d be annoyed at the interruption.
Yet it is in those very interruptions that Jesus is honored and proclaimed. We have traditions in worship and in life because in those actions, words, and songs, we have found God, and we hope to do so again. But sometimes, God surprises us in turning annoying interruptions (both big and small) into opportunities to see Jesus. That’s what happened that day in worship.
Maybe in worship and in life I need to take a breath and, instead, of moving on as quickly as possible, realize that God is giving me an opportunity to encounter Jesus. Maybe you do, too. Let’s keep our eyes open, because we never know when Jesus might come in the front door. We might even need one of those annoying interruptions to see him.
~Peter von Herrmann
The Word
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
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