Today's gospel passage places us with Mary and Joseph in Jerusalem where they were presenting their son Jesus to the Lord. This was to fulfill the religious observance which required them to fulfill the law of the Lord. Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and his parents will offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons (Lk 2:23-24).
What they could not predict was that there was a blessing waiting for them there. Simeon, a righteous and devout man ... came into the temple and when the parents brought the child Jesus ... he took him into his arms and blessed God (Lk 2:25-28). This encounter with the elderly Simeon shows us the importance of maintaining relationships with the elderly who Pope Francis refers to as the guardians of memory.
Pray today that the holy man Siimeon may inspire us to spend some time with the elderly among us, or to call them, or perhaps to write a note to them, telling them how much they are loved and appreciated. They have such wisdom to offer that it would be a shame for us to miss out on encountering this treasure ... it's still not too late.
Have a great day.
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