Reading
Luke 2:33-35
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Comment
On the occasion of the ritual of circumcision in the temple, Joseph and Mary come across Simeon, defined as a "righteous and devout" (Lk 2:25), to whom the Holy Spirit promised to contemplate the Messiah before dying (Lk 2:26). He makes a prediction about the different attitudes that the crowd - the "many" - will show towards the teaching of Jesus. Simeon is aware of the great mission of that child, destined to be the center of history, a "sign of contradiction" (v. 34) with which all humanity will have to confront, in acceptance or rejection, in salvation or in judgment.
The image of the Lord as a stumbling block is already present in the Old Testament prophetic literature (Is 8:14-15). Even Peter represents Christ as a stumbling block for those who do not believe (1 Pt 2: 7-8).
Mary, whose soul will be pierced by the sword of pain and division, is intimately involved in the destiny of Jesus. The mother according to the flesh will have to learn to crucify her own flesh (cf. Gal 5:24) in order to reconsider family relationships in the light of the demands of the gospel. But far from mortifying her own maternal vocation, Mary becomes the mother of all believers and with her, we can pray, united in the hope that gives life to the Church.
Prayer
Guide our steps, Lord, on the way of the gospel; so that, having become partakers of your mysteries, we can conform to you and reach the fulfillment of the hope of eternal life. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
