The child Jesus was presented in the Temple. The baby reminds us of Christmas. Simeon talks about the rise and fall of many in Israel, a sign that shall be contradicted, a sword that will pierce the heart. The words of Simeon remind us of the Cross.
Right now we seemed to be at the middle of a bridge - the joy, excitement and exhaustion of Christmas behind us and the penitential, renewing cross of Holy Week ahead of us. They may refer to two clusters of celebrations at the opposite ends of the "bridge", they form but one story of salvation.
The child whose birth never fails to inspire generosity, coming together, rejoicing and singing, is the Lord who was crucified, who died and rose again after three days. His death and resurrection has brought new life, boundless hope and life-changing love. Rejoicing and singing has become permanent. The child grew up to become the light of the world.
It's good to be at the middle of the bridge, with Christmas behind us and Holy Week ahead of us, for looking at the crucified Lord in Holy Week, we find a stronger reason to rejoice in the child of the manger. And by remembering the child in swaddling clothes, we understand the utter selflessness of the sacrfice of the crucified.
The words of Simeon uttered before the child Jesus lead our minds and hearts from the humility of Bethlehem to the humiliation of Calvary. Today, we are faced with the mysterious path that led to our salvation: the crib became a cross, a birth that was meant for death, a beginning that has destroyed the end.
