Malachi 3:1-4
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40
Psalm 84 or 84:1-6
Among the Jews of Jesus' time there were many who were increasingly impatient for the day when God would finally place God's chosen people in the seat of power - to rule over all the world.
Some believed that another king from David's line would arise and bring them to their destiny; others believed that a great celestial champion would descend upon the earth to lead them to victory; and still others believed that God would break directly into history by supernatural means.
As the Israelites chafed under the brutal oppression of the Roman empire, it was a time of growing anger and unrest.
In contrast to those who envisioned a great military victory, there were some whose vision was very different. They were known as the Quiet in the Land. They had no dreams of violence and war. They believed in a different way: a way of prayer and quiet watchfulness until God should come. All their lives, they waited patiently upon God.
I think both Simeon and Anna are among these quiet ones...they are people of prayer, who've waited patiently and quietly for the day when God would comfort God's people.
God had promised Simeon that his life would not end before seeing the Messiah. And Simeon seems to have had no doubt that God would keep that promise. Simeon has lived his life in peace, and now he can depart in peace - assured of God's salvation not only for the people of Israel, but for all peoples of all times.
Anna, the prophet, praises God and proclaims to all who will listen that this tiny child is God's answer to their prayers and petitions for deliverance.
It strikes me that Anna could easily have come to follow and support that other way - the way of violence and anger; of retribution and revenge. She's had a hard life in a world where women are not valued; especially women who are not in the care of a man.
Anna suffered sorrow and loss - her husband died just seven years after they were married. She was left alone, widowed, and very likely childless, in a world where such women are at best pitied, and at worst held in contempt and scorned.
Sorrow can do many things to us. It can make us hard and bitter, resentful and rebellious against God - or it can make us kinder and softer, more sympathetic to the pain and sorrow of others. We can allow it to destroy our faith - or we can allow it to deepen our faith.
We have no way of knowing what it took for Anna to arrive at her peace with God. What we do know, however, is that she has not allowed her sorrow or the years of discomfort and deprivation to rob her of her quiet faith in God's promise of salvation.
As I think of Anna's sorrow and suffering, and as I think of the sorrow and suffering of the Israelites under the heel of the Roman oppressor, I find myself thinking of the sorrow and grief that our country has suffered since 9/11.
The events of 9/11 have left gaping wounds and deep scars that will haunt thousands of people for the rest of their lives. The events of 9/11 will continue to impact people for generations to come.
Today we are faced with the same kinds of choices that the people of Jesus' day faced. Will we allow the events of 9/11 to harden our hearts and destroy our faith; or will we seek God's wisdom in prayer and humility.
Will we continue the cycle of violence, perpetuating the way of retribution and revenge - or will we follow the light that Anna and Simeon saw in the infant Jesus so long ago?
The light of the star that the Magi followed came to rest on the babe in Mary's arms. Simeon and Anna recognized that light and proclaimed the arrival of God's salvation.
Will we recognize that same light today? It's here - without a doubt. But where? Our Presiding Bishop, Frank Griswold, has called the Episcopal Church to prayer. We are being called to pray for peace and for reconciliation.
If Anna and Simeon were here with us today - where would they see the light of God's salvation?
Simeon told Mary that her child would be the cause whereby many would fall and many would rise. The names of Simeon and Anna, the quiet ones in the land, are still with us today - their message has been preserved for 2000 years.
Within 300 years of the birth of Christ, The Roman Empire was well on its way to extinction. The light of God's salvation did not come to rest upon the super power of that day.
Following President Bush's recent State of the Union Address, our Presiding Bishop issued a statement which concludes with the following prayer.
Let us pray:
My prayers are with our President and other leaders of our nation and world that they may seek to forge peace, with the men and women of the armed forces, including our military chaplains, and with their families. I pray that compassion and reconciliation and healing may become the realities of our common life, thereby reflecting God's own passionate desire for the well being of the world God sent his Son to save.** AMEN.
**From: Statement of the Most Reverent Frank T. Griswold
Following President George Bush's State of the Union Address.