to celebrate tonight Vespers and the Divine Service for the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord. There were only thirteen of us there (at least at Divine Service; didn't count for Vespers) and yet what overflowing joy in the gift of this Feast. We stand with Simeon in the Lord's temple, receiving the same body and blood that He held long ago, and we - like him - are prepared to depart in peace. We can die with joy for we have met and greeted, seen and tasted, Him who is death's Destruction, sin's Forgiveness.
02 February 2010
What Joy
to celebrate tonight Vespers and the Divine Service for the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord. There were only thirteen of us there (at least at Divine Service; didn't count for Vespers) and yet what overflowing joy in the gift of this Feast. We stand with Simeon in the Lord's temple, receiving the same body and blood that He held long ago, and we - like him - are prepared to depart in peace. We can die with joy for we have met and greeted, seen and tasted, Him who is death's Destruction, sin's Forgiveness.
I've thought for a while that it's helpful to contemplate the unique significance of the constant Ordinary in relation to the Propers of each day, like you've done here. Each day's appointed Propers shine a different light on the constant Ordinary, illuminating different facets of theirs from feast to feast and week to week. The Gloria of Christmas, the absent Gloria in Lent, the Gloria of Easter, and the Gloria after Pentecost and Trinity are all illuminated in slightly different ways.
ReplyDeleteIn a way it reminds me of Monet's multiple paintings of the Rouen Cathedral (or rather, vice versa).
I don't think you could have said it any better. What Joy is absolutely right. This is one of those word-picture moments in the Bible that almost makes my heart explode every time I hear it. In terms of how much space it takes up in the Bible, Simeon's story is a little snapshot event in Jesus' life, yet it is PACKED with all the great Gospel ingredients!
ReplyDeleteWe were ten (10) souls in all. Rejoicing in the gifts doesn't get any better.
ReplyDelete