The Word of God for young and old
In a time (in the Western world at least) when there seems to be a growing gap between the old and the young, it is good to reflect on this Gospel incident.
A young woman, still in her teens, a newly-wed cradling her newborn son in her arms, places that baby in the arms of a very old stranger who embraces her child with all the fervour of a now fulfilled hope.
Is this the model for overcoming the distance between young and old in our culture? Can the young, like Mary, listen to the wisdom of tradition from an elder? Can the old like Simeon still be open to a moment of serendipity mediated by the young?
The answer is: ‘Yes, when young and old come together around Jesus.’ As Pope Francis remarks of this encounter: ‘Jesus is at the centre.’ (Homily 2 Feb 2018)
At whatever age we find ourselves, Mary is only too willing to place Jesus in our arms to fulfil our hopes and our yearnings. Perhaps we could pause for a moment to accept the gift of Jesus placed in our arms and hearts so that we can say with Simeon:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace…’
© Fr Michael Tate; mtate@bigpond.com - https://www.liturgyhelp.com/calendar/date/2025Feb02/0/RefMiTa