St. Luke concludes the good news of Christ’s birth with this beautiful canticle of Simeon, which traditionally is called as Nunc Dimitis;

“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.” (Lk2:29-32)

The canticle reveals Simeon’s sense of fulfillment as a result of his encounter with Christ; “Let the servant depart in peace for I have seen thy salvation.” In Jesus Simeon has found the Savior. In him he saw of far greater value than anything else in the world.  As a result of meeting Jesus, he is able to say “Let me go in peace.”

Simeon is an example of those who have reached a higher stage in the journey of faith. Simeon personally experienced the salvation which God has worked for him and for the world. Embracing Jesus in his arms, he is now, even able to face death in peace.

Simeon is a model for us, especially in this Christmas season. As an old man, he had experienced the ups and downs of life. He knew the suffering of his people during their slavery for many years, the cruelties of Romans to capture their nation and the exploitation and hardship of the common people.  He experienced their fear and doubt and yet we find him as a serene wise old man because he was a person waiting for the “consolation of Israel” in Jesus Christ.

He teaches us to be persons who wait for the Lord in our daily life with faith and hope whatever the situations of life may be. He teaches us that it is only in encountering Christ, we will have the sense of fulfillment in our life.

About the Author:

Fr. Binoy Puthusery, C.M. is a Vincentian priest belonging to the Southern Indian Province. He was ordained as priest on December 27, 2008 and soon after served as an assistant parish priest in Tanzania.  In 2011, after two years of ministry, he was appointed as Spiritual Director to the Vincentian Sisters of Mercy, Mbinga Tanzania. He currently lives in Barakaldo (Spain), and is a teacher in the Masters in Vincentian Studies.