Today, on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple, we hear Saint Luke’s description of how, when the Infant Jesus was taken up to the temple, he was greeted by the elderly Symeon who, together with the prophetess Anna, had been waiting many years for the coming of Christ. We are told that he was “righteous and devout,” that he looked for “the consolation of Israel” and that “the Holy Spirit was upon him.” The Holy Spirit had promised Symeon that he would see the coming of Christ before he died.
Symeon represents the longing for God of the people of Israel, but he also represents the longing of our own hearts. Saint Luke presents him to us as someone who was aware his own desire for God. Indeed, his whole life was orientated towards the coming of Christ. He awaited Him in eager anticipation, and, because of this, he was able to recognise Him and to welcome Christ when He came. Having seen the Infant Christ, Symeon knew that his life’s work was over and that he could depart in peace.
We all have a longing for God within our hearts, whether we are aware of it or not. It is usually not as clearly defined as Symeon’s longing was, and we are not all called to express it in the same way. Nevertheless, it is important for us to acknowledge this longing which may lie hidden very deep in our own hearts and may be covered over by many distractions. Christian faith is not simply about obeying rules or accepting beliefs, necessary though these may be. Rather, it is about an encounter with the Person of Christ who alone can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. We need to be in touch with our own hearts, clarifying and purifying our own desires, so that, like Symeon, we will be able to recognise and welcome Jesus Christ.