The occasion of Our Lord's Presentation was marked by a revelation concerning His future, addressed to Mary His Mother by the mouth of Simeon. It had reference to the fact that, on that day, the chosen people were, by their own fault, unable to recognize their Messias. Other prophets, and Simeon himself just before, had spoken of the Child as the Salvation of God, a revelation of glory to Israel. Another aspect of the Messias is now set forth. For all time, He will be treated by a great number of those He came to save as an object of hatred and opposition. Human pride will for ever refuse to humble itself before the divine supremacy, human liberty will use its power to neutralize Omnipotence, malice will reject the divine mercies. "They have hated both Me and My Father" (John xv. 24), says Our Lord. In respect of those who so act, the work of Christ will be a failure; the bounty which is intended for the resurrection of all, will prove to be for the ruin of many in Israel; the blessing which was to have directed human evolution will in many respects be limited, in proportion to men's sinfulness. Here was another bitter drop in Mary's chalice; here was a sword of sorrow which was to rankle through life in her heart. When you meet with ingratitude or disappointment, or find that "mourning taketh hold of the end of joy" (Prov. xiv. 13), unite your sorrow with Our Lady's, and endure with resignation.
