Thursday, July 23, 2020
Compline
My eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations.
In the tradition of The Liturgy of the Hours the Canticle of Simeon is sung as part of Compline or Night Prayer. For the entire prayer, go to the Bible Gateway site linked in the citation above and explore the various interpretations of these verses. For the story of Simeon, read Luke 2:22-35.
God says: Simeon is a faithful servant who waited patiently for the fulfillment of my promise that he would see the messiah before death came to him. Just as Mary and Joseph were presenting the child, Jesus, in the Temple, this loyal servant saw in this family what I see, a trinity of hope, love and faith, promise, mercy and constancy. Simeon also saw that the lives of these three people would be full of deep sorrow and great joy. Simeon spoke words that I hear in waves from the faithful as they prepare to retire for the night. Join yourself with them as you prepare for bed. It is such a short prayer that it will not tax you. Turn away from the cares of the world for a brief time and pray these verses. You sleep ever so much better for having joined Simeon to visit with me.
Another faithful servant waited patiently for the appearance of God Among Us. Tomorrow, the story of Anna . . .
Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aert_de_Gelder_-_Het_loflied_van_Simeon.jpg
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