Prayer of St. Simeon

January 2, 1992
Brother John Raymond

	On February 2nd we celebrate the Feast of Our Lord's presentation
 in the Temple at Jerusalem. It became a feast for the Church about
 the year 390. It began in Jerusalem and spread throughout the Near
 East. The Armenians call it the "Coming of the Son of God into the
 Temple." In the Greek Church it was called "The Meeting of the Lord"
 to commemorate Jesus meeting Simeon and Anna. The Chaldeans and
 Syrians even today call this day the "Feast of Simeon the Old Man."
 The Christians of the Near East used this name for the feast because
 they believe that Simeon, having seen the Savior, died on the same
 day.
	We see how God answered Simeon's persevering prayer to see the
 Savior before he died. By God's design he was in the Temple on this
 day and by a special inspiration recognized more than just a poor
 couple with a child coming up the steps of the Temple. We are told
 from a mystic, Venerable Mary of Agreda, that Simeon knew Mary when
 She lived at the Temple as a child. He was a priest of the Temple.
 Simeon was filled with joy to hold this long-awaited Savior in his
 arms. Who knows how many years he had prayed for this great grace?
	The prayer to God that St. Simeon uttered on this occasion is
 still prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office of
 the Church. His prayer to God forms part of the prayers for Compline
 (Night Prayer). This prayer of Simeon is a good one to say at the
 end of each day.

Prayer

	"Lord, now you let your servant go in peace. Your word has been
 fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which You have
 prepared in the sight of every people. A light to reveal You to the
 nations and the glory of Your people Israel. Amen."

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