Recognition

Remember what it is like when a baby is presented to society? At the introduction to the circle of family and friends it is not unusual for people to look at the baby and then make some comment about its appearance. Its nose may look like its mother's, or it may have its father's dimples... whatever the linkage, most of the comments are a reflection of what the people see about the baby and their response to that sight. The hope is to identify as quickly as possible the "line" that can be drawn from all of the family traits to this newborn child who will carry those traits into the future.


Luke 2 tells us that Jesus was "recognized" by Simeon and Anna. I'm talking about recognition in the deepest sense...
On the surface, I would imagine he looked pretty much like any other baby... But when they saw him they made a connection between this baby and the promises God had made to redeem God's people.
They saw him ... they knew him.
Their knowledge about Jesus emerged through the Holy Spirit. They "saw" the connection between Jesus and His Father...and they proclaimed their understanding that this baby's birth marked the beginning of a new age for all history.


Our capacity to perceive the depth of what God is accomplishing in any event is limited when we look at the surface. As we pray about what we are "seeing", we are linked to the wisdom of ages, just as Simeon and Anna were.

How can you look at events and people differently by holding them in prayer?

For the last month you have been surrounded by readings preparing you for the approach of peace, hope, joy, justice, love. Things are not the same...and, through the Holy Spirit, you have the ability to get glimpses of the perpetual movement of God's salvation.

Look at what is before you now. What do you see? How can you recognize Christ's power nestled in the arms of seemingly ordinary events?