Faithful you are, Holy Father, and faithful you will be. It only seems fitting that we visit this story of faithfulness, found in the gospel of Luke 2:25-35, as we have been awaiting and celebrating this Advent season. This season of expectancy and waiting for the revealing of our long awaited savior, can be filled with such joy & wonder.
Simeon, a faithful and devout follower of the law had been promised by the Holy Spirit to meet you, precious Messiah, before his passing day. What joy he must have felt to finally hold you in his arms in the temple that day, as Mary & Joseph presented you to Simeon. For the consolation of Israel to finally be revealed in Christ Jesus, the light & salvation of the world, must have been like hearing the army of angels praising God in heaven. What great faith did Simeon have? He waited so very long for you to reveal your promise to him, yet still remained faithful.
Can we have faith and patience in our waiting, too? We know we need to trust your timing and not ours. In a world where we are challenged and perplexed by people’s actions and in the rush of our hurriedness, we cry out to you for guidance and direction. Lord, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
We have seen your glory in the birth of your son and we have witnessed your faithfulness as He died on a cross to save us all from our sins. Help us to hold on to you, as we wait. We lift up those who are waiting on test results, those waiting on the courage to leave an abusive relationship, for those who are waiting on new job opportunities, or for people who are waiting on their next meal. In the waiting, you meet us where we are, you love us just as we are. But, because you love us so much, you can’t leave us where we are. You send your Holy Spirit, through doctors and prayer groups, through the helpfulness of friends & organizations, through relationships and hard work and through the simple acts of leaving canned foods for others in need or baking a casserole for CARITAS.
We are all a part of your Holy plan, even if we can’t see it in our moments of waiting. We trust you, faithful father, and rejoice when we step into our purposes through you. Help us wait, with anticipation and joy, just like Simeon, and live out our years in joyful obedience.
Amen.
