(February 03, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI urged consecrated men and women in the Church
to be "assiduous listeners of the Word" as he offered Simeon and Anna as examples
of lives "dedicated totally to the search for the face of God." The Pope said this
on Wednesday during evening vespers in St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the
World Day of Consecrated Life, which is observed on the feast of the Presentation
of the Lord. Reflecting on the Gospel passage that recounts the entrance of the Child
Jesus into the Temple, the Holy Father noted that only "two elderly people, Simeon
and Anna, discovered the great novelty" of Christ's presence. "Led by the Holy Spirit,
they see in that Child the fulfilment of their long expectation and vigilance," the
Pontiff said. "Both contemplate the light of God that comes to illumine the world,
with their prophetic gaze open to the future, as proclamation of the Messiah: a light
for revelation to the Gentiles. "The evangelical icon of the Presentation of Jesus
in the Temple," the Pope continued, "contains the essential symbol of light; the light
that, coming from Christ, shines on Mary and Joseph, on Simeon and Anna and, through
them, on everyone." The Holy Father noted that the Fathers of the Church "linked this
radiation to the spiritual journey," and the consecrated life expresses the love of
divine beauty and the goodness of God. Pope Benedict XVI said the evangelical icon
also "manifests the prophecy, gift of the Holy Spirit." He explained: "Simeon and
Anna, contemplating the Child Jesus, perceive his destiny of death and resurrection
for the salvation of all peoples and proclaim this mystery as universal salvation.
"Consecrated life is called to this prophetic witness, linked to its twofold attitude,
contemplative and active. Given to consecrated men and women, in fact, is to manifest
the primacy of God, passion for the Gospel practiced as a way of life and proclaimed
to the poor and to the last of the earth." Finally, the Holy Father said that the
evangelical icon of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple "manifests the wisdom
of Simeon and Anna, the wisdom of a life dedicated totally to the search for the face
of God, of his signs, of his will; a life dedicated to listening and to proclaiming
his Word."