The Unauthorized Homily

By Bill Dunn

A commentary on the Scripture readings from the Sunday Lectionary

(Scripture readings for Sunday, December 28th: Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-2; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40)

SIMEON’S SAGA

“Hey Simeon! You see any messiahs today?! Har, har!”

Simeon didn’t even turn to acknowledge the sarcastic young men who were taunting him. He had heard taunts such as these for so many years now, he had lost count. The ridicule this day was actually rather tame, compared to the accusations of insanity and demon-possession he occasionally heard. But Simeon wasn’t angry. He understood. People, even otherwise good and decent people, were not used to someone in their midst proclaiming to be filled with the Holy Spirit, let alone having a personal conversation with God Almighty.

However, Simeon knew what he knew, and he wasn’t going to ignore it just to avoid being mocked. He remembered that day vividly, though it was many decades earlier. He remembered every word of the conversation he had with God—or rather, the monologue God issued to him, since Simeon was too frightened and frozen at the time to utter a sound in reply.

“You are righteous and devout, Simeon,” the voice declared, although Simeon could never quite figure out if the voice was audible, being heard by his ears, or whether God bypassed his ears and spoke directly to his mind and heart. Either way, the words were so powerful, so distinct, so divinely clear, Simeon knew he was not dreaming. “You shall not see death,” the message continued, “until you have seen the Messiah of the Lord.”

Days later, when Simeon finally stopped shaking, he regretted that he had not replied to the Lord. He knew he should have said, “Thank you,” but what he really wished he had said was, “When?”

You see, Simeon was a nervous and fidgety type of guy. Like many people, he didn’t like surprises. He didn’t like uncertainty. He didn’t like the unknown, which meant his feelings about the future ranged anywhere from mild anxiety all the way to sheer terror.

Simeon trusted God. He knew God was good and completely in charge of everything, and he knew that if he remained faithful to God and devout in his worship, God would protect him and bless him, and give him eternal rest and peace when his time on earth was done. But as long as Simeon was in the dark about the exact when, where, and how of his life, he was never able to enjoy the present moment and experience some of the rest and peace God offered right then and there.

So, being told by God that something very special would happen to him was quite a blessing—Simeon knew that. But not knowing when it would happen made the whole thing seem, in Simeon’s mind, almost like a curse instead.

Over the years there were many days when Simeon entered the temple courts so anxious he was practically hyperventilating. “Will this be the day?” he would mutter to himself, wringing his hands. “Will I finally see the Lord’s Messiah today?” He would pace around, looking to and fro, hoping to spy the special One. Often he would pause and realize how he must have appeared to others, which is why he never got angry when people mocked him or accused him of being insane—or worse.

Simeon understood that God’s proclamation had implied his life would end soon after the sighting finally occurred. Many people might be more concerned about this sobering aspect of the message, and not be in a hurry at all to see it fulfilled. But Simeon didn’t care. After so many years of waiting and wondering and, of course, worrying, Simeon just wanted it over. Whatever death felt like had to be better than this constant anxiety.

Occasionally, Simeon would see a majestic stranger enter the temple, complete with a huge entourage, and he would be sure this must be it. The last time that happened, about six months earlier, Simeon threw himself at the feet of a tall and princely-looking man, who must have wondered if Jewish senior citizens always gave such a warm welcome to fabric merchants from Syria. The murmuring about insanity increased drastically after that particular episode.

Simeon’s anxiety was slowly but surely turning into despair. Why would God tease him like this? he lamented. How much more of this can one man stand? he asked himself.

And then, this morning, for the first time in decades, Simeon once again heard…the voice. It said simply, “Him.”

Him? Him who? Simeon thought frantically. You mean that guy over there with the woman holding an infant? “No, HIM,” the voice replied. At once Simeon knew—somehow—that God was referring to the infant. And once again, for the first time in decades, he felt the power of the Holy Spirit surge through his body.

Simeon went to the woman and gently took the child from her arms. She didn’t resist. With tears streaming down his cheeks, he praised God and said, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation!”

Inspired by the Spirit, many other words poured from Simeon’s mouth, most of which he didn’t quite comprehend, being so overcome with joy at the moment. But he could tell from the woman’s piercing eyes that she was committing every single, startling syllable to memory.

In a matter of moments, it was over. Simeon handed the infant back to the woman, smiled at the young family, and turned and walked away.

There was a lively spring to Simeon’s step as he walked. It felt like his feet were barely touching the ground. That will happen when 500 pounds of anxiety are suddenly lifted from someone’s shoulders. That will happen when someone has a personal encounter with the One True Messiah.

At that moment, sarcastic voices rang out. “Hey Simeon! You see any messiahs today?! Har, har!”

“Yes, as a matter of fact I have,” Simeon said. The mockers’ jaws hung open in amazement, partly because Simeon had actually responded, but mostly because of the joyous peace radiating from Simeon’s face. “Don’t be frightened, boys,” Simeon continued. “The Messiah is here. Salvation has come to all the world. Life’s too short to be anxious. Relax and enjoy God’s grace and peace.” And for the first time in his life, Simeon was certain he was going to do just that.

©2008