"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the confidence of things not seen" says the author of Hebrews (11:1) This feast of the Great Encounter is a celebration of confidence in things not yet realized but promised by God.
This feast celebrates the fact that God keeps his promises!
God revealed his plan to a "prophetess" Anna, who was 84 yrs old widow never left the temple "worshipping and fasting and prayer night and day and a "just" man . Scriptures refers to the "just man" as a person who has faith and experience with God. Luke's gospel speaks of Simeon as a just man "waiting for the Consolation of Isreal" It was revealed to Simeon that he would not see death "before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (Luke) In response to seeing Jesus, and his mother Mary, the words of Simeon's Canticle were said (see PRAYERS)
Anna also "gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for redemption of Jerusalem" (luke)
The feast called "Hypapanty" greek word meaning "meeting" is the first encounter of Jesus carried by his mother into the temple. Jesus, being human, was presented by his mother and father with the usual offering of 2 turtle doves or pigeons.
Simeon prophetized "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Isreal, and for a sign which shall be spoken against" the fall refers to unbelievers, and the rise to Christian who still stand in church at the time of the reading of the gospel. Or the "risen brad" of the Holy Eucharist. |
