Sanctification
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
Luke 2:25-32
My horoscope read this morning that I have “an appetite for learning.” The astrologists had no idea that, as a result of Aspergers, I spend my day reading, researching, writing. I am a bibliophile whose daily recreation is devotional writing, so I am assured that the astrologists, this day, knew that planets are properly aligned.
When I turned 50 over two decades ago, I would refer to my age as having lived a half-century. It sounded poetic, though more importantly, it was the truth it conveyed. One cannot live a half-century without acquiring some wisdom, unless you are pictured as the little boy wearing a dunce cap.
Attesting to my horoscope as having an appetite for learning, I have obtained six academic degrees. The quest has brought me enlightenment, though, I will always be uncomfortable knowing that God will always remain a mystery. We live in a gray world, not one that is black and white, which makes attesting to God’s dominance over creation difficult.
Karl Barth, after completing his thirteen volumes of Church Dogmatics, written between 1932 and 1967, was asked to summarize what he had learned, simply replied “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
I have found truth in this for the teachings of Jesus are simple, but not simplistic. “To turn the other cheek” is indeed a simple instruction, but just try it.
I grew up in a Christian home so I do not have a conversion experience since Jesus was ever present. But I have had numerous “watershed” experiences that have deepened and enriched my faith.
A watershed moment occurred when my octogenarian mother told me why she drives a red sports car with the vanity plate “MS LOVE,” it is because, she shared, “we are a long time dead.” If so, our focus ought to be on enjoyment during this short span of our earthly existence.
Another watershed moment was my first class in theology when Dr. Wogaman, a professor at Wesley Theological Seminary, located in Washington, D.C., asked the class for the central message of the Bible. He received his expected answers. He then informed us the central biblical message is “hope.” Hope, as there is always a new beginning. This is the message of the Resurrection – that good can come out of bad.
Watershed moments enrich our spiritual lives. They always transform us. They enrich our understanding of God and foster a more personal relationship. They come upon us like a quiet summer breeze, or thunder forth like a winter gale. They always come unexpected. Ony the devout are able to recognize the Holy Spirit’s authorship.
Karen Zimmerman wrote a daily devotional for Reflections, a booklet provided by the church that I attend, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Florence, South Carolina. Karen is a Presbyterian missionary in Morocco. She opened her devotional for Sunday, January 28, 2024, with this question: “What does it take to recognize a moment when God shows up? She then reflected on Simeon, as she penned, “For Simeon, it takes a lifetime of purposeful devotion.” She recalled that Simeon spent his entire life “growing in wisdom and love for the One who will come to redeem the people.” And then we know, as the story in Luke’s gospel unfolds, Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus into the Temple and into the presence of the prophet. Karen then asks, “What does it take for us to recognize the holy moments in our lives?”
What does it take for us to recognize the holy moments in our lives?