January 13

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THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON

“Behold this Child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted” (Luke 2, 34).

First Prelude: Behold Mary and Joseph wrapt in admiration, listening to the prophecy of Simeon.

Second Prelude: Replenish my heart, O Jesus, with a wholesome fear of the smallest imperfection, that I may be preserved from the danger of committing graver faults.

FIRST POINT

THE WORDS: “THIS CHILD IS SET FOR THE FALL OF MANY IN ISRAEL”

Holding the Divine Child in his arms, the aged Simeon, wrapt in ecstasies of joy and love, praises God with a loud voice in a canticle wherein he calls the Saviour the “Light of Nations,” the “Glory of Israel” and the “Salvation of the people.” Turning to Mary, he adds the prophecy: “This Child is set for the fall of many in Israel” (Luke 2, 34). How can this be? The Messiah Who wills to save all men, will be the occasion for the loss of many souls! What a sad mystery the Holy Ghost revealed to the aged Simeon in these words! Oh, how seriously should we ponder this mystery! St. Peter says: “Jesus is a stone of stumbling, and a rock of scandal to them that stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set” (Peter 2, 8).

How many have there been at all times to whom Christ is, indeed, a stumbling block! By resisting the mercies of the Lord, and abusing the means of salvation offered them, they are the more culpable and, in consequence, unhappy. The fault does not lie with our dear Saviour; He would save all and render all eternally happy. Yet, “He came unto His own and His own received Him not” (John 1, 11). They heeded not His words, but rejected Him. These are the voluntarily blind of whom Jesus says: “If you were blind, you should not have sin; but now you say: we see. Your sin remaineth” (John 9, 41). Oh, how true are these words of the Son of God! He, whom the infinite Mercy does not justify, remains in sin to his own destruction! Oh, that these terrible words might not apply to religious! And yet, there are some, even among these preferred souls, who, utterly disregarding the sanctity of their holy state, abuse the means of grace so generously offered them. Christ’s merciful Heart is consumed with love and longing for their salvation. He waits for their conversion, urges them with loving violence to come to Him. If they obstinately resist, then such unfaithful souls coerce the Lord, contrary to His Will, to proceed against them with all the rigors of Divine Justice. Do I deserve reproach for my abuse of graces, especially in little things?

SECOND POINT

THE WORDS: “THIS CHILD SHALL BE A SIGN FOR CONTRADICTION”

“Christ Crucified,” says St. Paul, “is unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Gentiles foolishness” (Cor. 1, 23).

The children of the world today offer the same resistance to His words and example. All about Him is the object of ridicule and scorn on the part of the godless and indifferent. How must it grieve the Heart of our Blessed Lord to meet with resistance in souls whom He has distinguished by special privileges, whom He has enrolled among His beloved spouses! Were the Heart of Jesus in Its glorified condition susceptible of pain, He should suffer the most cruel wounds at the hands of His friends. No, my Jesus, never shalt Thou be a sign for contradiction to us. Rather will we choose Thee for a sign to follow, making it our constant aim. We will incessantly by the darts of our fervent desires and love tend toward Thy Divine Heart. We will aim to glorify Thee by our conversations, and in all our actions seek Thy divine pleasure. Christ shall be for us a sign of salvation. Let us earnestly examine ourselves as to what degree of resemblance to our dear Lord, our Divine Model, we have attained. Jesus loves poverty, fatigue, humility, meekness and patience. He never sought self, but always the honor of His Father and the salvation of mankind. He found delight in solitude and prayer, endured contempt and insults silently and patiently, even prayed for His enemies. Am I a worthy disciple of my loving Saviour? O Jesus, how often must I confess that my words, indeed, speak my love while my actions testify to the contrary. My conduct is in constant disharmony with Thy holy teachings and example. I entreat Thee, O Jesus, remove from my heart all traces of resistance to Thy holy Will.

Affections: O Jesus, Salvation of the whole world, of Gentiles as well as Jews, to Thee we owe the light of faith and the hope of eternal salvation. Thou hast called all to the possession of these inestimable treasures, but not all answer Thy loving invitation. “They love darkness more than the light” (John 4, 19). O Jesus, suffer me not to resist the principles, the spirit of Thy holy doctrine. Grant me that steadfast and constant fidelity which urges me to live as Thy true disciple in the face of the world and its contradictions. I pray Thee, do not take Thy hand from me, for Thou knowest how miserable and inconstant I am. I am in need of Thy divine assistance to walk worthy of my holy vocation.

Resolution: I will observe even the smallest regulations conscientiously.

Spiritual Bouquet: “This Child shall be a sign for contradiction.”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .