Who Can Endure?

Who Can Endure?

February 2, 2013

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

But who can endure the day of his coming?  Who can stand firm when he appears?  For he will be like a refiner’s fire, like fullers’ lye.  He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the Levites, Refining them like gold or silver, that they may bring offerings to the LORD in righteousness.  Malachi 3:2-3

[Simeon] came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”  Luke 2:27-32

Piety

At last, all powerful Master, you give leave to your servant to go in peace, according to your promise.
Guard us, O Lord, while we sleep, and keep us in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all nations, the light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel, your people.
Guard us, O Lord, while we sleep, and keep us in peace.
Give praise to the Father Almighty, to his Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord, to the Spirit, who dwells in our hearts, both now and forever. Amen.
Guard us, O Lord, while we sleep, and keep us in peace. 

The Canticle of Simeon.  From Worship II: A Hymnal for Roman Catholic Parishes. Chicago, IL: G.I.A. Publications, Inc.. 1975. pp. 39.

Study

Simeon's journey through life was not an easy one.  His name is said to mean "he who listens to the word of God."  Simeon did just that and he listened when the spirit told him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord.  

Simeon's verbal reaction to the actual encounter with Jesus also reminds us of the canticle of Zechariah (John the Baptist's father) upon the birth of his son:  "because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  Luke 1:78-79

Zechariah's and Simeon's prayers echo this theme of light to the people who are in darkness living in poverty, oppressed by the belligerent Roman army and suppressed by the rules of the wealthy Pharisees. 

Our journeys also are filled with darkness as well.  External threats and internal threats shake the foundation of our church.  Be it political fights over the HHS mandate on health care, the latest revelations of cover-up on child sex abuse coming out of Los Angeles this week, or the banishment of clergy who question authority, the journey as a community is rocky and the questions of Malachi resonates:  "Who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears?"

Action

Our journeys as individuals also are fraught with pitfalls as well.  Unemployment.  Illness.  Family dissension.  Whether as an individual fighting to find our place on the walk with Jesus or as a community of believers, the path is not easy.  We are not promised a path that is any easier than the one followed by Mary and Joseph.

Despite the tendency to try to reduce our faith to pithy bumper stickers, the journey is hard and the lifting is heavy if we are to tie up the temptation of sin and free ourselves of ourselves in order to follow Jesus.

Cursillo gives us the tools to turn to our community for the strength to carry on.  Group reunion.  Fourth Day.  Ultreya.  Piety. Study. Action. Awareness of those close and present moments.  How will you use these tools to carry on?  How will you use these tools to help others in your community carry on?