As the child’s father and mother were wondering at the things that were

being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

‘Look, he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel,

destined to be a sign that is opposed

– and a sword will pierce your soul too -

so that the thoughts of many may be laid bare.’

(Luke 2:33-35 RNJB)

 

Luke the Evangelist continues the story of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. (Luke 2:22-40) Simeon has blessed God; in the child Jesus he has seen God’s salvation for all nations – a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. God’s salvation is for all nations, Jews and Gentiles together.

 

Now Simeon blesses the parents, and speaks directly to Mary the mother of Jesus: this child will challenge and change many in Israel; he will be opposed; the truth in people’s divided hearts will be exposed. And it may break your own heart too. Mary already has an awareness of this division, as shown in the Magnificat Luke gave her to sing:

He has exerted the power of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their heart.

He has taken down princes from thrones and raised up the lowly.

(Luke 1:51-52)

 

Luke brings another witness to the Temple scene, a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. A widow in her eighties, she never left the Temple, worshipping night and day with fasting and prayer. She came up just at that moment and began to praise God; and to speak about the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38) Did she speak with the parents? We are not told.

 

All these things are happening because of Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel: Mary said, ‘Here I am, the Lord’s servant, let it happen to me as you have said.’ And the angel left her. And a child is born! (See Luke 1:26-38)

 

Listen to Jesus’ take on his mother: He was told, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.’ But he said in answer to them, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.’ (Luke 8:19-21) As Luke tells it, Jesus feels at home and at peace with his family and household. And for Luke, that will last: after Jesus’ ascension, the Eleven apostles and the other disciples were awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost – with one heart all these were constantly persevering in prayer, together with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (See Acts of the Apostles 1:12-14)

 

But on Calvary, all his friends stood at a distance, and also the women who had followed with him from Galilee, watching these things. (Luke 23:49) Had I been there, that’s where I would have gone searching for Mary: among her own people. In the end, the women from Galilee followed Joseph of Arimathaea and saw the tomb and how the body had been laid. They went back and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath day they rested, in accordance with the commandment. (Luke 23:50-56)

Psalm 150 completes the Daily Hallel (Psalms 146-150) with a universal call to Praise God!

 

Alleluia!

Praise God in his holy place;

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his powerful deeds;

Praise his surpassing greatness.

(Psalm 150:1-2. Grail Translation)

 

Four lines, four images. Think billboards on a highway, showing various shapes of praise.

Holy place: the psalm refers to the Temple in Jerusalem; and Jesus spoke of “the temple of his body.” (John 2:19-21)

Mighty heavens: The “night sky” leaping over us – wonder and awe. In our own times, the visions of distant mirrors: Hubble, The James Webb Space Telescope. We belong in a splendid universe – vast and tiny.

Powerful deeds: For the Psalms: Exodus 14, the birth-pangs of a chosen people. For the Gospel, “The Word became flesh, and lived among us and we saw his glory.” (John 1:14)

Surpassing greatness: (Christ Jesus) humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, death on a cross. And therefore God exalted him.... (Philippians 2:6-11)

 

O praise him with the sound of trumpet; praise him with lute and harp.

Praise him with timbrel and dance;

praise him with strings and pipes.

O praise him with resounding cymbals;

praise him with clashing of cymbals.

(Psalm 150:3-5)

 

Not a poem, nor the lyrics of a song; it tells no story. It seems to be a list of musical instruments, and the movement of body in dance and gesture. A band leader might single out some of the players and introduce them to the audience, so they can each display their skills and play their praise. BBC Radio 4 does as much with “Bells on Sunday.” They have a Prayer for the Day each weekday at 5.43 am. On Sundays, however, they broadcast church bells from locations all across the UK. Bell-ringers ringing Alleluia!

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Musicians make their own beauty; their own way of praise; so do painters and sculptors and weavers and cooks; or as it might be, people who care, or heal, or help things grow. Or the juggling skills of the lowly monk who had entered the monastery from a life of entertaining at fairs and festivals and country crossroads; it was his only skill but a rich one. Sometimes, before the statue of the Virgin, he would perform a “concert,” with perhaps a new toss or move, in her honour and praise. The poet Carol Ann Duffy might call it, “Love’s gesture.”

 

Let everything that lives and that breathes

give praise to the LORD! Alleluia!

(Psalm 150:6)

 

One line for life. We search the universe for signs of other life; but must not neglect the life which is closest to us, including the One who came among us to breathe – the Way, the Truth and the Life (See John 14:6) to give praise to the LORD! Alleluia!