Reflect today on all that our Lord has told you in the depths of your soul

"Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for the eyes of all peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for the your people Israel ". Luke 2: 29-32

At the time of Jesus' birth there was a man named Simeon who had spent his entire life preparing for a significant moment. Like all faithful Jews of the time, Simeon was waiting for the coming Messiah. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would indeed see the Messiah before his death, and so this happened when Mary and Joseph took Jesus into the temple to offer him to the Lord as a child.

Try to imagine the scene. Simeone had lived a holy and devoted life. And deep in his conscience, he knew that his life on earth would not end until he had the privilege of seeing the Savior of the world with his own eyes. He knew it from a special gift of faith, an inner revelation of the Holy Spirit, and he believed.

It is useful to think of this unique gift of knowledge that Simeon has had throughout his life. We normally acquire knowledge through our five senses. We see something, hear something, taste, smell or feel something and consequently come to know that it is true. Physical knowledge is very reliable and is the normal way we come to know things. But this gift of knowledge that Simeon had was different. It was deeper and was spiritual in nature. He knew he would see the Messiah before he died, not because of an external sensory perception he had received, but because of an internal revelation of the Holy Spirit.

This truth begs the question, which kind of knowledge is most certain? Something you see with your eyes, touch, smell, hear or taste? Or something that God speaks to you deep in your soul with a revelation of grace? Although these types of knowledge are different, it is important to understand that the spiritual knowledge that is given by the Holy Spirit is much more certain than anything perceived through the five senses alone. This spiritual knowledge has the power to change your life and direct all your actions towards that revelation.

For Simeon, this inner knowledge of a spiritual nature suddenly merged with his five senses when Jesus was introduced into the temple. Simeon suddenly saw, heard and felt this Child who he knew that one day he would see with his own eyes and touch with his hands. For Simeon, that moment was the highlight of his life.

Reflect today on all that our Lord has told you in the depths of your soul. Too often we ignore his gentle voice as he speaks, preferring instead to live only in the sensory world. But the spiritual reality within us must become the center and foundation of our life. It is there that God speaks, and it is there that we too will discover the central purpose and meaning of our life.

My spiritual Lord, I thank you for the countless ways you speak to me day and night deep in my soul. Help me to always be attentive to you and your gentle voice as you speak to me. May Your voice and Your voice alone become the guiding direction of my life. May I trust in Your Word and never hesitate from the mission you have entrusted to me. Jesus I believe in you.