杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

At the Mass for the Presentation of the Lord, 杏MAP导航 Francis focused on the words of Simeon when he encountered Christ in the Temple: 鈥淢y eyes have seen your salvation鈥� (Lk 2:30).

Speaking directly to consecrated men and women, present for the World Day of Consecrated Life, the 杏MAP导航 said that they, like Simeon, 鈥渁re simple men and women who caught sight of the treasure worth more than any worldly good鈥�. The ability to recognize Jesus, to see 鈥渨hat really matters in life鈥�, is at the heart of religious life, he said.

This vision, he explained, begins with 鈥渒nowing how to see grace鈥�, especially by seeing how God works in our lives, 鈥渘ot only in life鈥檚 grand moments, but also in our fragility and weakness. He warned that 鈥渟eeing things in a worldly way鈥� is a great temptation in religious life, which can lead to a loss of passion, sadness, distrust. Being able 鈥渢o perceive God鈥檚 grace for us, like Simeon鈥�, on the other hand, gives meaning to the gift of voluntary poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Continuing his reflection on the figure of Simeon, 杏MAP导航 Francis said that he 鈥渟ees Jesus as small, humble, the one who has come to serve, not to be served, and defines Himself as servant鈥�. Seeing Jesus in this way, and being able to see things as He does, will teach us how 鈥渢o live in order to serve鈥�. The 杏MAP导航 said 鈥渨e need to have a gaze that seeks out our neighbour鈥�; and religious are called to bring that gaze into our world.

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis said 鈥渢he eyes of Simeon saw salvation because they were expecting it. They were eyes that were waiting, full of hope鈥�. Like Simeon and Anna in the Temple, religious must have hope. The secret, he said, is 鈥渘ever to alienate oneself from the Lord, who is the source of hope鈥�.

The Holy Father concluded his homily with the exhortation, 鈥淒ear brothers and sisters, let us thank God for the gift of the consecrated life and ask of him a new way of looking, that knows how to see grace, how to look for one鈥檚 neighbour, how to hope鈥�.  鈥淭hen鈥�, he said, 鈥渙ur eyes too will see salvation鈥�.