Homily: December 29,2023 The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas (Domine Non nisi te)

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 “He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: ‘Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled.’”

Do you have a great wish, a deep desire in your heart, so important to you that once it is fulfilled, you would be so satisfied that nothing else matters anymore, not even death?

Grand elderly Simeon had one lifelong wish. His only desire was to see the Savior promised by God in his lifetime. Day and night he prayed for the coming of the Messiah and to be able to witness it.

And finally, on the day of Jesus’ presentation, the Holy Spirit inspired Simeon to go to the temple, and there his greatest desire was fulfilled, he was satisfied and was ready to rest in peace.

Those words of Simeon are used in the Liturgy of the Hours we recite for our night prayers. It is a very beautiful and powerful prayer of submission to God.

As baby Jesus was presented to God, every night we present our souls to God too.

A very pious priest once told me that at every Mass, after the consecration, as he holds the host in his hands, he feels an intimate love and strong affection as if he was holding baby Jesus. This must be how Simeon felt when he carried baby Jesus in his arms.

What is your greatest desire in life?

Do you know what is God’s greatest desire?

To be united with us. That is His greatest joy and He knows it will give us tremendous joy too. A joy which will truly satisfy our soul. Thus, God came as a baby; He lowered and humbled Himself so as to be a part of our life.

If we fully understand this deep desire of God, we too would yearn for the same union. We too would look forward to holy communion with God every day. None of our other desires can ever satisfy us fully, only Jesus.

St. Thomas Aquinas used to pray this, with tears, 'Domine, non nisi Te' — 'Lord, nothing but you'.

May we love and desire Jesus like Simeon did, and may our desire be fulfilled, our soul be satisfied, and we can look forward to the day we leave in peace. Amen.


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