SIMEON'S MOMENT

 

I discovered this painting one year by Ron DiCianni entitled "Simeon's Moment". The painting had me revisit the story of Simeon in Luke 2:25-35. I cannot adequately describe the tearful emotion that swelled within my heart as I did so.  

It wasn't just Simeon's story that touched the depth of my soul but the artist who was so moved by the moment of joy felt by someone as they held the Son of God in their arms. He wanted to capture the moment that Simeon had lived his life for.

It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen 'the Lord's Christ' (Luke 2:26). Simeon waited a long time and was well stricken in age when the Spirit led him to the temple the day that Mary and Joseph were there with the Christ child to offer sacrifice for his birth as was the Mosaic law of the day (Luke 2:22-24).

Simeon took the Christ child into his arms and pronounced Him to be the awaited Messiah, the glory of Israel and the light to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32). And then he said something highly significant to Mary: "A sword shall pierce through thy own soul....that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (v35).

As I tried to connect to Simeon through my thoughts, I could see how eager he must have been  for the Saviour to be born because the nation of Judah was by then a den of iniquity. No doubt Simeon was tired of all the wickedness and sin around him and he yearned for Christ to come.

I reflected on the signs of the times around us which are being fulfilled and how close the Saviour might be to returning, even at the door (Matt 24:33; Mark 13:29; JS-M 1:39; D&C 110:16).  How many of us will be over-joyed when we see Him coming in the clouds of heaven?

Simeon said when the Saviour comes, the thoughts of our hearts will be revealed; simply because who we are is in our hearts and who we are is all we will have to give Him. Will we be ashamed when our hearts are laid bare before Him or will we be eager to show Him that He resides there? 

May we be overjoyed like Simeon because we have waited with eagerness for His appearing and may our hearts be imbued with faith and love to make them fit for an offering to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Simeon's Moment by Ron Dicianni)