Luke 2:32 “..A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel”
We conclude our three part reflection on the Canticle of Simeon in this season of Advent with this scripture passage.
In these words, Simeon is making a profession of faith. We too make this profession when we recite the Creed. “He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.” The Lord will reveal himself to the world in his birth in a manger which we will celebrate in two week. The Lord reveals himself in the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, we encounter the same Christ we will encounter on “judgement day”. Are we ready to receive the light he provides for us?
The first reading from Isaiah 40:5 this weekend states ”Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together.“ We shall hear this text sung in the second verse of Michael Jonca’s hymn, “A Voice Cries Out”.
This is our hope to be opened to that glory when Christ reveals himself to us and not be closed to that presence. The world as we know it, is passing away. Let us look forward to that day by preparing our hearts to receive him. This season of Advent invites us to the sacrament of reconciliation in these days leading up to Christmas. Let us recognize the urgency to be reconciled with God and appreciate the power this sacrament holds in restoring our lives to Christ.