NUNC DIMITTIS

Now, Lord, you can let
your servant depart in peace
according to your word,
because my eyes have seen
the One you prepared to bring
salvation to the face of all the people:
a light of revelation for the Gentiles
and glory for your people Israel.
- [Luke 2:29-32]
INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Nunc Dimittis.”

As you know, those are Latin words for, “Now you can dismiss…”

It’s the prayer of Simeon and can be said as a night prayer.

It’s a prayer that can be used for both a night prayer and a life prayer.

It’s in the Gospel text used for today: the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple.

As I look at my day, as I look at my life, have I done what I want to do? Am I seeing my dreams come true?

Now that’s a good question!

What makes a good day for me? What makes a good life for me?

THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL

Luke tells us that Simeon’s goal in life was to see the consolation of Israel. His prayer says he was looking for the salvation of Israel. Luke is telling us that he is hoping both Gentile and Israel will see the light.

I stopped at the word “consolation” and looked up which Greek word did Luke use in his text that is translated “consolation”. The brief research was very rewarding. Luke uses the Greek word “paraklesis” which can be translated with words such as, "consolation", "comfort", but also "encouragement" and "the call", and "the begging". It’s also the word used for a description of the Holy Spirit – as the Paraclete. The Holy Spirit is consolation, comfort, encouragement, challenge, call, begging us to live life to the full.

Simeon wanted the Messianic salvation – the Messianic Peace – which is that all be right – that the Peaceable Kingdom come.

What are your dreams for this planet? For this world? For this country? For this town? For this parish? For your neighborhood? For your family?

There’s rich theology here: everyone wants peace in the world. Everyone wants Haiti restored. Everyone wants every family to have great family life.

I dream that Haiti gets reforested and restored – and becomes the paradise it can be – along with education, an end to poverty, etc. etc. etc. Will I die before this happens?

We all have these dreams for our family and our world. When we see them happening, we have a glimpse of what Simeon saw – when he saw Jesus.

There’s rich, rich theology here. Luke is using words and images that connect the listener with Isaiah 40 to 56 – which gives the great Messianic dream for Israel.

We have a glimpse of what this is about with Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. He hopes to see some of that dream take place in his lifetime. This is Black History Month – and I thought that would be good to mention. When Barack Obama was elected president I cried tears of joy when I heard many elderly Americans being interviewed on television and saying their Nunc Dimittis – knowing that America has come a long way with Michelle and Barack and their two daughters - Malia Ann and Natasha (Sasha) - heading for the White House.

When parents and grandparents see their kids married and with kids, when parents and grandparents see their kids going to church, when parents and grandparents see their kids marriages and families going well, they sing their own Nunc Dimittis.

When all of us see an end to AIDS and Abortion, an end to poverty and ecological messes, an end to name calling and personal attack, an end to terrorism and the enormous cost that is putting on budgets, and the arrival of the Kingdom, then we sing our inner Nunc Dimittis.

CONCLUSION

I would think two good steps would be: articulate our vision and hope for our life as then we get practical and see ways we can make something happen this day to make that dream come true, then each night we can pray our Nunc Dimittis.

Isn’t that why we present ourselves in this temple each morning – so that by nightfall, we’ve done something to better this world today?

Amen!

Painting on top is the "Presentation at the Temple," c. 1460, by Andrea Mantegna [1431-1506]. It's tempera on wood and can be found in the Staatliche Museum in Berlin. The woman on the edge on one's left might be a portrait of Andrea's wife, Nicoloisa Bellini. The man on the right side of the picture might be a self-portriait by Andrea Mantegna. To enlarge the picture and study the faces up closer, tap tap your mouse.