Sunday Worship
All are welcome to join us for Sunday Worship on the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. Our services are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'.
Although Plan B restrictions have now been lifted, we do still have some Covid precautions in place to keep everyone safe. If at all possible, please do wear a face covering in church, and maintain safe distancing.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you can find today's Gospel, a reflection, prayers and a couple of hymns below.
Our first hymn today is "From Heaven You Came (Servant King)"
Today's Gospel
Luke 2:22-40 The Presentation of our Lord
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed - and a sword will pierce your own soul too."
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
Reflection
Who is today’s passage about – “they” i.e. Mary and Joseph, just Mary, Jesus or Simeon and Anna?
As is often the case, Joseph is mentioned but doesn’t get much of a look in. Mary however, gives us much to think about, not by what she says, but by what she hears from Simeon. How must she have reacted to the words of Simeon? How deeply must her soul have been pierced just by hearing those words? There is much there to dwell on.
But thinking about both Simeon and Anna, we can learn from the passage how God honours those who wait for the fulfilment of His promises; those who are faithful through the years. The song of Simeon has been said, or sung, by countless generations of Christians. It is said in Sunday services, especially BCP services, it is said at funerals, it is a passage loved by many. God most certainly does honour those who faithfully wait for the fulfilment of His promises.
And what of Anna? Do you realise what an honour it is for a woman to have even been mentioned by people of the culture which existed in Biblical times? Anna is recognised as a prophet and her words are recorded – what an honour! She had spent probably 60 years, fasting and praying, waiting for the salvation of Israel but her faithfulness and patience is rewarded.
Having said all that, the content of the messages of both Anna and Simeon, their focus, is Jesus - and Him as saviour. If we wish to be honoured by God, Jesus must always be our focus and we must recognise Him as our Saviour. Lyn
Our Prayers
