Dear Families of Grace Members, Neighbors & Early Learning Center Families,
“For My Eyes Have Seen My Salvation”
February 1, 2025
Dear Families of Grace Members, Neighbors & Early Learning Center Families,
Simeon took the child Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:28-30). Those are beautiful words by which Simeon tells the story of his life. But what about us? What about our story? What good is it to us if Simeon receives into his arms the child Jesus and we do not? What good is it to us if Simeon’s eyes see salvation and our eyes do not? What good is it to us if Simeon is free to go in peace if we are not? It’s not enough to simply celebrate the Presentation of our Lord this weekend and Simeon receiving the child Jesus in his arms if that is all this feast is about.
While there is historical truth to this story, there is also a cosmic truth, a truth that is not limited by time and place. This story offers us an experience that is happening in all times and in all places for all people. It is as much our story as it is Simeon’s.
The question for us this weekend is, “What does it mean for Simeon to wait so long to behold the Christ child?” Sacred tradition says Simeon came to that verse in Isaiah that says, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son” (Is. 7:14). This made no sense to Simeon and he was going to substitute “a young women” for “a virgin,” when an angel stopped him and declared to Simeon that this verse was true and promised Simeon that before he died - he would see the child of this virgin. The promise did come true.
Simeon must have lived those days, years, and decades with hope, trust, expectation, and anticipation waiting and wondering. “Is this the day I will see salvation or is this the day I will give up hope? Who among us has not had his or her life characterized by expectation, anticipation, and waiting? We all know what it’s like to wait for a prayer to be answered, for joy to return, for clarity about a decision, for healing and new life.
So what’s the miracle for Simeon? Here’s what I think the miracle is. Simeon continued to show up. He continued to be vigilant and attentive. He never walked away from the promise. The miracle for Simeon and for us is in the showing up.
Sometimes showing up is the most difficult work we do and it takes all we have to just show up. Simeon may have thought he was waiting for the child to show up, but what if it was really Jesus waiting for Simeon to show up? Simeon thought he was presenting the child to God, but maybe it was really the child presenting the old man to God. Every day that Simeon showed up, the child Jesus was seeing and upholding Simeon. Maybe this is what the Feast of the Presentation is all about. The presentation of Jesus does not only happen in the Jerusalem temple but in the temple of our very lives every day. So, continue to show up each week, claim what is already yours, and be set free to go in peace so that your eyes might also see your salvation today.
As you continue to show up and wait on the Lord, consider “coming to Grace this Epiphany Season!” – come and be part of this congregation that is filled with prayer, fun, laughter, and our love for Jesus! Experience the presence of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament. All come at Jesus’ invitation – young and old, the assured and the doubting, the wise and the foolish, and the in-between. All are welcome here! Come to the Feast!
Blessings and peace,
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Grace Lutheran Church
254 Curtiss Parkway
The Reverend David O. Guss, Ph.D.
Miami Springs FL 33166
Pastor – Grace Lutheran Church
305-888-2871
