Episode 2227: Mary’s reaction to Simeon's Prophecy by Sharon

Sharon: Welcome as we explore the deep and poignant moments of the Blessed Virgin Mary's life, as seen through the lens of traditional Catholic teaching. I'm your host, Sharon, and joining me is my esteemed co-host,
Walt: Hi everyone. It's a blessing to be here and delve into the rich tapestry of our faith. Today, we’ll be focusing on a significant and sorrowful event in the life of Mary and Jesus as narrated in Luke 2:34-35. Simeon's prophecy at the presentation in the temple is our topic. Sharon, would you like to start us off with the scripture?
Sharon: Certainly, Walt. Luke 2:34-35 says, "And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother: 'Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted—and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.'"
This passage is profound and filled with deep meaning. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, reveals to Mary that her Son, Jesus, is destined for great suffering and rejection. Walt, how do you interpret this prophecy?

Walt: This prophecy foretells the dual nature of Christ's mission: He is both a cornerstone for those who believe and a stumbling block for those who reject Him. For Mary, this means a future filled with both profound joy and deep sorrow. Her heart would be intimately connected with the sufferings of Jesus.
Sharon: Yes, and it’s crucial to understand the context of Mary’s sorrow. As Catholics, we see Mary not just as the Mother of God, but as the Mother of Sorrows. Her heart was pierced by the knowledge of the suffering that awaited her Son. This brings us to the traditional Catholic devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary, with Simeon’s prophecy being the first.
Walt: Yes. This devotion helps us meditate on Mary's profound compassion and her role in salvation history. Her sufferings were united with Christ's redemptive mission. Mary’s acceptance of this sorrow is a model of perfect obedience to God's will, a theme that runs deeply through Catholic spirituality.

Sharon: Reflecting on this, we see how Mary's sorrowful acceptance teaches us about surrendering to God’s will, even when it leads to suffering. It’s a call to trust in God’s greater plan, just as Mary did. Let's discuss the prayer associated with this sorrow.
Walt: Sure, Sharon. The prayer highlights Mary's deep sorrow and her unwavering faith. It goes, "O Mother of Sorrows, how deeply your heart was pierced with sorrow when Simeon announced that Jesus, your beloved Child, was to be a sign that would be rejected. Your heart knew that He was to be the suffering Messiah the prophets had foretold, the man of sorrows, who would carry all our sins and heal us by His wounds. Through this bitter sorrow obtain for us the grace never to reject Jesus or refuse Him anything. Help us to completely surrender our lives to Him and to live according to His most holy will in everything."
Sharon: This prayer is a beautiful invocation for strength and fidelity. It’s a reminder that, like Mary, we are called to accept our crosses and unite our sufferings with Christ’s for the salvation of souls. How can we, in our everyday lives, embody this spirit of surrender?

Walt: By embracing our own trials with faith and trust in God’s providence, we can turn our personal sorrows into acts of love and redemption. It’s about finding Christ in our sufferings and offering them up as Mary did. This way, our lives become a testament to God's mercy and grace. Sharon do you mind if I ask you a couple questions about Mary’s encounter with Simeon?
Sharon: Sure go for it!
Walt: Did Mary know Simeon prior to this encounter at the temple?
Sharon:
From the Gospel of Luke, there is no indication that Mary and Joseph knew Simeon before the presentation of Jesus at the temple. Simeon is described as a devout and righteous man who was awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah (Luke 2:25-26).
When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon was there by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He took Jesus into his arms and pronounced the prophecy that is recorded in Luke 2:34-35. This encounter appears to be divinely orchestrated rather than a result of prior acquaintance.
Scriptural Context
The passage (Luke 2:22-38) suggests that Simeon's presence in the temple at the same time as Mary, Joseph, and Jesus was due to divine intervention:
Luke 2:27 states, "Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts."
Simeon’s reaction and his words imply that this was a unique moment revealed to him by the Holy Spirit.
Traditional Catholic Interpretation
In traditional Catholic interpretation, Simeon’s recognition of Jesus as the Messiah is seen as a moment of divine revelation. The focus is on the fulfillment of God’s promise to Simeon and the prophetic nature of his proclamation.
So, there is no biblical evidence or tradition suggesting that Mary and Simeon knew each other prior to this encounter in the temple. The narrative highlights the role of divine guidance and revelation in their meeting.

Walt: So we know Mary knew she was to be the God-Bearer and so I would assume she was not taken back by his words but rather that he even said it because in a certain way he was probably the first to reaffirm Mary’s mission other than her cousin Elizabeth. But was she still taken back by the words from Simeon regarding the suffering?
Sharon: You raise an insightful point about Mary's awareness and her reaction to Simeon's prophecy. Let's delve into this from both a scriptural and traditional Catholic perspective.
Mary's Awareness and Reaction
Mary knew from the Annunciation, as conveyed by the angel Gabriel, that she was to be the Mother of the Son of God (Luke 1:26-38). Additionally, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, had already recognized and affirmed Mary's role during her visit (Luke 1:41-45).
Reaffirmation of Mary's Mission
Indeed, Simeon's words would have reaffirmed what Mary already knew about her child’s divine mission. However, Simeon's specific mention of the suffering and rejection Jesus would face, and the personal sorrow Mary would endure, brought a new and somber dimension to her understanding.
Reaction to Simeon's Prophecy
While Mary was prepared for her role as the Mother of God, Simeon's prophecy introduced the specific and poignant element of suffering. Let's consider a few points:
Understanding and Acceptance:
Mary had already displayed profound faith and acceptance of God's will at the Annunciation and throughout the early events of Jesus' life.
Her response to the prophecy likely included a deepening understanding of the sacrifice and sorrow intertwined with her son's mission.
Human Emotion:
As a mother, hearing that her child would face severe rejection and suffering, and that she herself would experience deep sorrow, must have been emotionally overwhelming.
This prophecy might have intensified her sense of foreboding and sorrow, adding a new layer to her contemplative heart.
Scriptural Evidence
The Gospel of Luke often highlights Mary’s reflective nature:
Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
Luke 2:51 states, "His mother treasured all these things in her heart."
These verses suggest that Mary deeply contemplated the events and prophecies related to Jesus, including Simeon's words. Her pondering indicates a mix of understanding, acceptance, and emotional processing.
Traditional Catholic Perspective
In traditional Catholic spirituality, Mary's acceptance of Simeon's prophecy is seen as part of her "Fiat"—her ongoing yes to God's will. This acceptance is not without pain, as evidenced by her title "Mother of Sorrows."
I would add that it is important to understand that a sorrowful heart is not the same as a sad heart. Theologically speaking, sadness is a result or a form of self pity or an unhealthy attachment to something that is lost. Sorrow, on the other hand, is one of the Beatitudes which makes it one of the holiest qualities one can possess. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted in Matthew 5:4. To mourn is to have sorrow. In the context of the Beatitudes, a heart that mourns is a heart that loves. Mourning, or holy sorrow, results from a heart that witnesses sin and grieves over it. She did not despair as she witnessed the brutal treatment of her son, she did not become angry or succumb to confusion or frustration or withdrawal to self-pity. How did she respond? With empathetic love which flowed from the holiest of hearts. She grieved over the sins that inflicted the suffering on her Son. Additionally, when sorrow is holy, it is filled with compassion and spiritual empathy. Compassion means “to suffer with.” The Blessed Mother united with her Son’s sacred heart, suffered with her sinful children as she watched their sins crucify Christ. She harbored not hate as she witnessed those sins, only an indescribable longing to see the grace of her Son pour forth upon those who had rejected Him and sinned against Him.
While Mary was not surprised by the affirmation of her son's divine mission, Simeon's prophecy brought a clearer and more painful revelation of the suffering that lay ahead. Her reaction would have been a complex blend of faith, acceptance, and maternal sorrow. This deepened her contemplative heart and prepared her for the future trials she would face alongside Jesus.
Walt: Final question, I promise. When they say in Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." What do they mean?
Sharon: When in Luke 2:19 it says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart," this reveals a profound aspect of Mary's character and her response to the extraordinary events surrounding the birth and early life of Jesus. Buts lets dig in a little deeper. Let's explore the meaning and significance of this verse.
Meaning of "Treasured Up"
"Treasured up" implies that Mary held these events and revelations as precious and significant. She recognized their deep importance and stored them carefully in her memory.
This phrase indicates that Mary did not take the events lightly but saw them as sacred moments that required deep reflection and reverence.
Meaning of "Pondered Them in Her Heart"
"Pondered" suggests that Mary engaged in deep, thoughtful contemplation. She continuously reflected on the meanings, implications, and mysteries of the events she was witnessing.
"In her heart" emphasizes the intimate and personal nature of her contemplation. This was not merely an intellectual exercise but an emotional and spiritual process, deeply rooted in her being.
Context of Luke 2:19
To fully grasp the significance of this verse, it helps to consider the context:
This statement comes after the visit of the shepherds who, following the angelic announcement, found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in the manger. The shepherds shared the message they had received about the child, which amazed everyone who heard it (Luke 2:16-18).
Traditional Catholic Perspective
From a traditional Catholic perspective, this verse highlights several key aspects of Mary's spiritual life:

Contemplative Nature:
Mary is seen as the model contemplative, one who reflects deeply on God's actions in her life and in the world.
Her pondering reflects a profound inner life, where she seeks to understand God's will and cooperate with it fully. Contemplative prayer is a higher level of prayer that most of us will never get to. Contemplative prayer is when we use our minds and hearts to recognize God’s presence and fix our gaze on him. It seeks to achieve union with God and is quiet, still and simply resting in His presence.
Heart as the Seat of Wisdom:
In biblical terms, the heart is often viewed as the center of a person's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions.
Mary's heart, where she ponders these divine mysteries, becomes the seat of wisdom and understanding.
Role as the First Disciple:
Mary’s reflection and pondering make her the first disciple of Jesus. She embodies the attitude of listening to and meditating on God's word, setting an example for all Christians.
Foreshadowing Future Sorrows:
By treasuring and pondering these events, Mary is preparing herself for the future joys and sorrows she will experience, including those foretold by Simeon.

Conclusion
Sharon: As we conclude today’s episode, let's remember the sorrow of Mary foretold by Simeon and strive to emulate her unwavering faith and surrender to God's will. Her example guides us to trust in God's plan, even in the face of suffering. St Augustine said that is was more important for her to have God in her heart than the Son of God in her womb. I understand this to mean…Christ said if you love me, you will obey my commandments, right? Does it not say in 1 Sam 15:22 Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice? Mary’s sacrifice was her reputation. She was pregnant but not to her betrothed, Joseph. Her obedience, and that of Joseph, showed her great love for the will of God. Therefore, her love for God and her trust in God’s will was greater than the priviledge of carrying the Christ child in her womb. I hope that makes sense?
Walt: Absolutely, Sharon. Thank you, dear listeners, for joining us today. Let’s end with a short prayer. "O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for us that we may remain faithful to Jesus and accept our crosses with love and trust in God's infinite mercy."
Sharon: Amen. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you. Now go out there and carry your cross.