The Presentation in the Temple -- artist unknown
All
Go now in peace. Go now in peace.
Go now in peace. Go now in peace. Go now in peace. Go now in peace.
Go now in peace. Go now in peace. Go now in peace. Amen.
Solo or choir
Now, God, you have kept your word: let your servant go in peace.
With my own eyes I have seen the salvation which you have prepared
in the sight of every people;
a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Amen.
Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) Voices United 902
Today is very important for our family because it is the birthday of our lovely daughter, Jocelyn. When she was little we made a big deal of the connection with Groundhog Day, and she even had a plush rodent.
This is also a Christian holiday called Candlemas when in some traditions Christmas decorations are taken down (can you imagine waiting this long?!) and the candles for the year are formally blessed.
Candlemas is also the day to read the story of the Presentation in the Temple. In the same chapter of Luke which celebrates the birth of Jesus, the first-born child of Mary and Joseph, he is taken to the temple in Jerusalem for his dedication, 40 days after his birth in accordance with Jewish custom. Candlemas is 40 days after Christmas.
While in the temple precincts they encounter two elders, Simeon and Anna, who are devout daily worshippers, both of whom recognize Jesus as unique, the Promised One. Simeon's prayer in Luke 2 is called the Nunc Dimittis in Latin and there is a musical setting in Voices United (above.)
I don't usually pay much attention to this story but this year I'm thinking about the absymal job our society has done in protecting our elders during the pandemic. Rather than honouring them we have treated them as disposable with the majority of COVID-19 deaths amongst those 70 and older, even in this fourth wave. There have been repeated government promises of increased resources and care which come across as a nightmarish version of the film Groundhog Day. Those on the front lines say that this hasn't happened and that many essential workers are leaving the field because of lousy pay and high stress.
I think it's telling that after Ontario MPP Rod Philips was forced out of his role as Finance Minister because of a lockdown vacation scandal he was eventually returned to cabinet in the "demoted" job of Minister of Long-term Care. Philips resigned abruptly now long ago, and announced he was leaving politics. Was his heart ever in that role? The new minister, Paul Callandra, is tacking this portfolio on to his other cabinet responsibilities.
Today we can remember all those elders who were lost during these past two years and those who mourn their deaths.
We can pray for those who have been isolated from loved ones and their faith communities as a result of the pandemic.
We can advocate for decent and respectful care for those who are too often "out of sight and out of mind"
We can ask how we honour those who can still offer spiritual wisdom and grace within our faith communities, even when their candles burn low.
Nursing Home Visit in Lockdown
On this World Wetlands Day I praise the Creator for marshes, bogs and swamps in my Groundling blog
https://groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2022/02/praise-god-for-worlds-wetlands.html
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