Prayer/Assembly Resource Sheet
Week Beginning: 1 February 2016
Theme: Light of the World
Reflection: May the Light of Jesus be reflected in us.
Readings: Jeremiah 1: 4-19; Psalm 70; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13;
Luke 4: 21-30
On Tuesday (40 days after Christmas Day) we celebrate the
feast called ‘Candlemas’ or ‘The Presentation of the Lord.’ In
the gospel reading on Tuesday we see how Simeon, ignoring the
winter's cold, is awaiting the arrival of the Messiah. Five
hundred years before, when the Temple was starting to be built
there was such poverty in the country that its builders were
highly discouraged. It was when Haggai, the prophet, said: “The
glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the
former house”, says the Lord Almighty. “And in this place I will
grant peace”, declares the Lord Almighty (Hag 2:9);
The Holy Spirit had assured Simeon “that he would not die before seeing
the Messiah of the Lord” (Lk 2:26), and, “led by the Holy Spirit” he has
gone into the Temple. He is not a Levite, nor a scribe, nor a doctor of the
law, he is just “a very upright and devout man that looked forward to the
time when the Lord would comfort Israel” (Lk 2:25). But the Holy Spirit
blows where it wills.
Now, he realizes with surprise that no preparation has been made, no
flags, garlands, banners or shields can be seen anywhere. Just Joseph and
Mary, crossing the walkway, and bringing the Child Jesus in their arms.
Stretching his arms Simeon takes the Infant from his Mother and
thanked God while saying: “Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in
peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen your
salvation, which you display for all the people to see. Here is the light you
will reveal to the nations and the glory of your people Israel”
Simeon’s acceptance of God in his presence, in the humility of a child, is in
stark contrast to the people of Nazareth who expected a magnificent and
all powerful Messiah. Many of Jesus’ home town friends and neighbours
rejected him however Simeon encourages us all to welcome the presence
of God in the most humbling of circumstances and also in the humblest of
individuals.
A Story for Sharing
Queen Victoria, after the death of her husband (Prince Albert), spent a
good part of her time at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish highlands.
Walking one day by herself, it started to rain. Queen Victoria stopped
for shelter at a nearby cottage, and knocked on the door, hoping to be
able to borrow an umbrella.
The woman inside didn’t recognise the Queen and the Queen didn’t say
who she was. The woman showed her annoyance at being disturbed. She
closed her door and then chose a broken umbrella to lend her. “Here,”
she said in a harsh way, as she thrust it into the hands of the Queen,
quickly closing the door on her again. Having thanked her, Queen Victoria
returned to Balmoral Castle.
The following morning, several of the Queen’s men drove to the cottage in
full uniform. “Madam, the Queen thanks you and returns the umbrella
that you lent her.” The woman was ashamed when she realised it was the
Queen to whom she had ben harsh and short-tempered too. The men
heard her mutter: “If only I’d known I’d have given her my best
umbrella.”
Prayers for the week:
The response to our prayers this week will be: May your light be
reflected in us.
Mon: Lord Jesus 40 days after your birth you were taken to the Temple
and presented by your parents to God our Father. Help us to be aware
that we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. May your light
be reflected in us.
Tues: Simeon’s eyesight grew dim, but he recognised who you were. Open
our eyes that we may always recognise you in our midst. May your light
be reflected in us.
Wed: Simeon prophesied that Mary would be pierced to the heart. As
Mary stayed with Jesus in his suffering, we pray that we may help those
who are part of our lives. May your light be reflected in us.
Thurs: We know that Simeon was an elderly man. We thank you Jesus for
all those people in our lives, parents and grandparents, uncles and aunts;
everyone who has let your light shine through them. May your light be
reflected in us.
Fri: Jesus you told
us that you are the
light of the world.
May your light be
reflected in us.