HOW TO HAVE SUPERPOWER VISION
How did Simeon recognize Jesus at the temple? How did he know that this infant of an unknown, young, and poor couple, was the long-awaited Christ?
On screen, Simeon is often depicted as blind, suggesting a superpower vision to recognize the Messiah. But this is an ability that you can have too.
Simeon was devout. Through regular prayer, his heart became attuned to the Holy Spirit’s calling, similar to how a musician’s trained ear to recognize pitches, or an athlete's muscle memory. But our noisy world easily distracts us from hearing the Spirit.
People have often confused the Spirit’s voice with something else. It’s not immature impulses, e.g., missing class or work simply because we don’t feel like it. Neither is it emotional reactivity, nor random ideas from out nowhere.
The Spirit often takes time to bring fruitful results; some we may never see. The first time I attended Mass at my current parish, the young adult ministry picnic was announced. At this gathering, I met people who I’ve developed deep, faith-filled friendships with. More remarkable was that the young adult ministry rarely could announce its events. In today’s Gospel, Simeon was elderly when he finally met Jesus, and would never witness His greatest glory, the Resurrection.
The Holy Spirit is always in and around each of us. How can you personally soften your heart to recognize Jesus in today’s world? How have you seen the Spirit work like it did for Simeon in your own life?
Susan Liem