What Are You Waiting For?

This Sunday’s Gospel reading (Luke 2:22-40) includes the story of the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, and the encounter of Mary and Joseph with the aged Simeon and Anna. Scripture tells us that Simeon was “righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It has been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.” Simeon sees the young couple, weary from their travels, and in the baby Jesus, Simeon recognizes that for which he had waited his entire life. He responds with the words, “Now let thy servant depart in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation….” The aged prophetess Anna was also in the Temple that day, as she had been every day for the decades since the passing of her husband. She, too, recognized the child as the fulfillment of her years of waiting, and gave praise and glory to God.

The book of Proverbs 29:18 contains these words, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Conversely, the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:24 writes, “For we are saved by hope.” With a vision, our lives are given meaning and purpose. I’ve often read of elderly persons, even persons struggling with terminal illness, who seemingly willed themselves to stay alive to witness the marriage of a child, or to see the birth of a grandchild. After the wedding, after the birth, they give themselves permission to say “Now let thy servant depart in peace….” In the same way, even in more mundane circumstances, if we as individuals have a vision of the good news Christ offers, a vision of how God has called us to live in response to this good news as disciples of Christ, it will give us strength to overcome many of our daily challenges. If we allow ourselves to be led by Christ, we won’t be deflected by the annoyances and challenges that are a part of every day.

The year 2008 is rapidly coming to a close. Some can likely look back on 2008 with gratitude. Others are ready to say “good riddance.” Regardless of how we experienced 2008, in a few days, God willing, we will awake to begin the year 2009. A brand new year is coming, full of promise, likely full of challenge as well. In the year ahead, let us “look to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”