Who Will Endure?

Who Will Endure?

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Malachi 3:2-3

[T]herefore, [Jesus] had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Hebrews 2:17-18

"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 2:29-32

Piety

“St. Alphonsus Rodriguez” by Gerard Manley Hopkins 

Lay brother of the Society of Jesus

HONOUR is flashed off exploit, so we say;       

And those strokes once that gashed flesh or galled shield  

Should tongue that time now, trumpet now that field,       

And, on the fighter, forge his glorious day.      

On Christ they do and on the martyr may;             

But be the war within, the brand we wield       

Unseen, the heroic breast not outward-steeled,

Earth hears no hurtle then from fiercest fray.  

  Yet God (that hews mountain and continent, 

Earth, all, out; who, with trickling increment,         

Veins violets and tall trees makes more and more)   

Could crowd career with conquest while there went  

Those years and years by of world without event     

That in Majorca Alfonso watched the door.

Study

Several times I have watched a jeweler fashion molten gold or a glassblower shape glass. The fire used is about as hot as you can possibly endure sitting near. One small slip up and serious injury could result from the intense fire used to form the fold or glass.

Imagine the heat that the Holy Spirit used to form old Simeon and make sure he was up to the long years of his appointed task. He did not simply begin the vigil in the temple.  Simeon had to have the depth of commitment to carry it through to the end (which was really the beginning). 

Through the heat of the summer days.

Through the cold of winter nights.

Through the boredom of the days after endless days.

Simeon had what Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB, calls a “spirituality for the long haul.”  This is the kind of spirituality that might be in short supply in our fast-paced, impatient, get-it-over-with-quick society.

The Presentation of the Lord could focus on any one of the main characters.  Jesus has the spirituality of the long haul up Calvary. Mary has the spirituality of the long haul for her pregnancy, exile, and the pain endured watching the unjust execution of her Son. Simeon, poor old Simeon. How many parents had come and gone through the temple door through the years while he waited for the One?

This week, the Rule of St. Benedict cycle is focused on the steps of humility in Chapter 7.  The fourth step of humility is that in this obedience under difficult, unfavorable, or even unjust conditions, our hearts quietly embrace suffering and endure it without weakening or seeking escape. For scripture has it: "Anyone who perseveres to the end will be saved (Mt 10:22)," and again, "Be brave of heart and rely on God (Ps 27:14)."

…Could crowd career with conquest while there went

Those years and years by of world without event

That in Jerusalem, Simeon watched the temple door.

Action

Mary and Simeon of the Presentation are the models of strength and endurance for the times when we feel weak.  Their complementary examples teach us that the “Christ-life, once begun, must determine every moment of our lives.” Once begun, it can not be abandoned.