Simeon, the prophet of Jerusalem
Simeon is "the righteous man and religious one, who was waiting for the Consolation of Israel" from the Gospel of Luke.[1] Salton the custom, Mary came to present Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem. Simeon approaches the young mother and asks her for a moment to hold the Baby. Mary satisfies him with a smile.
Simeon walks with difficulty leaning on a cane. He is well over eighty years old. Maria Valtorta is surprised to see a simple faithful person: she had always believed he belonged to the priestly caste.
Taking the young Jesus, Simeon recognizes the Messiah that the Spirit had promised him he would see before his death. His cry of exultation became part of the The Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) under the name Nunc Dimitis which is said in the evening before going to bed[2]:"Now, Master, you can let your servant go in Peace, according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation."[3]Salton, a witness of this scene, John of Nob, the old man Simeon would have "sung" this hymn.[4]
Simeon also prophesies the sword that will pierce the Heart of Mary.[5]
He is part of the holy Souls that Jesus gives as an example: "holy like Simeon".[6]
His name
Simeon, like Simon (Chimon- Shim'ôn, סיימון), means "he who hears".
Historical reference: the second son of Jacob who was held hostage by his brother Joseph who became Pharaoh's steward.
Where is he mentioned in the work?
EMV 32 EMV 32
EMV 489
EMV 645
Learn more about this character
Excerpts from the Dictionary of Gospel Characters, Salton Maria Valtorta (Msgr. René Laurentin, François-Michel Debroise, Jean-François Lavère, Éditions Salvator, 2012):Two archaeologists, Émile Puech[7] and Joe Zias[8] have recently confirmed that the funerary monument called Absalom's in the Valley of Josaphat[9] is the tomb of the old man Simeon, according to local Byzantine traditions. The Relics of Simeon would have been transferred to Constantinople, then partly to Venice. His head is kept in the treasury of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.Salton Marie d'Agréda (17th century), Simeon is the High Priest of the Temple.[10] She likely interferes with the high priest of that time: Simon Boethos.
Salton Anne-Catherine Emmerich (19th century), he is a simple priest.[11]
Notes and references
- ↑ Luke 2:25-35
- ↑ See, on this subject, the Liturgy of the Hours
- ↑ See also Luke 2:29-30.
- ↑ EMV 489
- ↑ EMV 32
- ↑ EMV 645
- ↑ French Biblical and Archaeological School.
- ↑ Science and Archaeology Group Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
- ↑ Valley of Jerusalem near the Mount of Olives.
- ↑ Maria d'Agreda, The Mystical City of God - Book 4, Chapter 19, § 591, page 442.
- ↑ A.C. Emmerich/Brentano, Life of the Virgin Mary, Presses de la Renaissance, 2006, page 321.