Nunc Dimittis
Lord,
now lettest thou thy servant
depart in peace, according to thy word.
Luke 2:29
It
has been suggested that the three canticles in Luke's Infancy
Narrative, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), the Benedictus (Luke
1:68-79), and the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32) all came out
of a circle of Jewish Christians, called "the pious ones,"
who were totally dependent upon God, and who recognized in
Jesus the long-awaited fulfilment of God's promises. Simeon
and Anna, who have awaited the consolation of Israel and the
redemption of Jerusalem, are the embodiment of this Jewish-Christian
piety.
The
Nunc Dimittis has struck many as the loveliest of the three
Lucan canticles, and its brevity has made it readily adaptable
as a personal prayer of peaceful and joyful resignation to
God's will. It may have served as a Christian response to
the death of a believer. Since the 5th century, the canticle
has been recited in the night prayers of the church, and it
is part of our Anglican service of Evening Prayer.
The
Messianic context of Simeon's sense of fulfilment is understandable
in the Judaism of Jesus' day, and Simeon's reference to departing
in peace echoes the hopes for peace in the days when God would
re-establish the Davidic king. Simeon may depart in peace
not only because he has finished his task, but also
because God has now fulfilled his word. Already the
heavenly host has proclaimed, "Peace on earth, good will
towards men"
(Luke 2:14).
In
the Pope's Christmas message, the call for peace in the world
was the dominant motif, but in our day we cannot look to the
coming of a Messiah to set things right. Not even experienced
diplomats can take over this role. We have recently seen the
cycle of violence escalating in the land of Christ's birth,
and no plan or road map has the power to touch the hearts
of those bent on imposing their will on others by violent
means.
The
themes of the Nunc Dimittis ( seeing salvation, the sight
of all peoples, a light to the Gentiles, and glory for Israel)
all recall the later chapters of the Book of Isaiah, known
as the Book of Consolation. Our first lesson comes from this
section of the book.
The
prophet summons us to "seek the Lord while he may be
found," and to "call upon him while he is near"
((Isaiah 55:6). These are fitting words in the days following
our celebration of Christ's birth.
The
prophet reminds us that God's thoughts are not our thoughts,
nor are God's ways our ways (Isaiah 55:8). For us, God's thoughts
are contained in the sacred scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments. The divine word, like the rain and the snow from
heaven, brings forth fruit from human hearts and does not
return empty to its source (Isaiah 55:10-11).
On
this last Sunday of the year, as we say our Nunc Dimittis
to 2003, we pray that in the coming year God's holy word may
indeed accomplish its purpose in the world and in our hearts.
.
