The Prophecy of Simeon
Reflections on the first sorrow of Mary
“Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, ‘Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’” -Luke 2:33–35, WEB
We often get anxious about the future even without knowing what’s in store for us. How much more worried would we be had we known something difficult or terrifying is going to happen to us or to the ones we love?
When Simeon prophesied to Mary, how did she feel when he told her that her beloved child will be a “sign which is spoken against”? And what does it mean that a sword shall pierce also her soul?
Every mother only wants the best future for her child. The more she loves her child, the more she’d want his good. The more concerned also would she be for all his troubles.
Mary understands the concern of every mother for her child. She knows the anxiety of those who are afraid for the future of their children. She can relate with those who live in poverty and don’t know how to give their children a good education. She understands the suffering of those who live in war zones and don’t know how to raise their children in the midst of violence. Mary knows the pain of those mothers whose children are sick and whose future is uncertain.
“Father Engelgrave says, that it was revealed to the same Saint Bridget, that the afflicted Mother, already knowing what her Son was to suffer, ‘when suckling Him, thought of the gall and vinegar; when swathing Him, of the cords with which He was to be bound, when bearing Him in her arms, of the cross to which He was to be nailed; when sleeping, of His death.’ As often as she put Him on His garment, she reflected that it would one day be torn from Him, that He might be crucified; and when she beheld His sacred hands and feet, she thought of the nails which would one day pierce them; and then, as Mary said to Saint Bridget, ‘my eyes filled with tears, and my heart was tortured with grief.’” — St. Alphonsus Liguori
Let us ask Mary’s prayer that we may find strength and consolation as we bear all our sorrows for an uncertain future.
Prayer
O, Mary whose soul had been pierced by seeing the passion and crucifixion of your Son, pray for us who are still pilgrims here on earth. Here, we are beset not only with troubles for the present but suffering also for all the fears that may come to our beloved ones. Help us to entrust everything to God. Pray for us that instead of worrying, we may grow in faith.
Help us to realize that no matter what we do, we cannot control everything. Only God has the power to see the future and to lead us along safe paths. Pray for us that we may always remember God’s wisdom and unfailing mercies. He who did not spare His Only Son to save us will never forsake us no matter how dark the future may seem to be. In Him is our consolation and in Him is our true hope. Amen.