Homilies
And A Sword Shall Pierce Your Own Soul Also
Holy Spirit take my words and speak to each of us according to our needs
A Light for All People
Today, is a day of celebration. It is both Candlemas, where traditionally the candles for the entire year are blessed and it is also the Presentation of Christ -a moment of deep significance that brings us to the Temple in Jerusalem, where the infant Jesus is presented to the Lord. In the passage we have just heard, we encounter the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph, the prophecy of Simeon, and the testimony of Anna. Together, these figures help us explore and understand God’s unfolding plan of salvation.
But with a deeper understanding we can also consider not just the vulnerability of Mary and the weight of Simeon’s prophecy, but also the reality that all those who serve God—lay and ordained alike—are deeply human. We are all called to bear Christ’s light, but the role of a leader within the church, either lay or ordained, must also hold the balance of vulnerability with resilience. All too often, leaders - whether that be a welcome team member, an organist, a treasurer, a key holder, a refreshment provider or a worship service leader - may become seen as objects or tools of the church – a part and parcel of the package of church, rather than as people with feelings, struggles, and the same need for grace as everyone else.
So, back to the story, it begins with Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the Temple to fulfil the law of Moses. They present Him to the Lord and offer a sacrifice, demonstrating their obedience to God. These simple acts reveal their trust and faithfulness, even in the midst of their humble circumstances. Their poverty shown by their choice of offering two pigeons rather than two doves. This is a reminder to us that faithfulness often requires small, unseen acts of obedience. Whether it is raising children in the faith, serving our communities, or supporting our church, God sees and values every faithful action. As an aside, I have a friend who was preparing to move over 4000 miles away to Canada. Most of his possessions were being shipped by container but he had a few precious items he wanted to take with him personally. He lived by the motto ‘the Lord will provide’ so when he was down to his last couple of days before travelling and still hadn’t packaged up his things he uttered these words before bed one night. The next morning as he awoke and opened the curtains he found almost an entire roll of bubble wrap tangled in a tree in his front garden!
After the offering had been made in the Temple, we meet Simeon, a righteous and devout man who has been waiting for the “consolation of Israel.” When Simeon takes Jesus into his arms, he blesses God, declaring that he has seen the salvation prepared for all people—a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for Israel.
But then, Simeon turns to Mary with a sobering prophecy: "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too."
This prophecy captures the paradox of Christ’s mission. Jesus brings salvation, but He also challenges the status quo. His presence reveals the thoughts of our hearts, forcing us to confront our sin and make a choice—will we follow Him or reject Him?
Mary, as Jesus’ mother, would bear a unique pain in this mission. She would witness her son’s rejection, suffering, and death on the cross. The “sword” that pierces Mary’s soul reminds us that following Christ often comes with personal cost.
Just as Simeon’s words spoke to Mary, they also speak to the vulnerability of those who carry God’s message. Church leaders, like Mary, bear the weight of serving their congregations, leading them in faith, and often standing in the tension between the Gospel and the world.
Yet, sometimes, they are seen as invulnerable or as objects to serve the church—always available, always strong. It can be easy to forget that they are people too. They experience hurt, exhaustion, and doubt. They face the pressure of living up to high expectations while also dealing with their own humanity.
The call to ministry (of any kind) brings a unique vulnerability—a sword that pierces the soul. Church leaders walk alongside others in their suffering, celebrate with them in their joys, and often carry the unspoken burdens of the congregation alongside an ever increasing often incomprehensible management role of balancing budgets, legalities, time management and today, being available to multiple communities, churches and congregations often with different styles and needs. But this vulnerability must be balanced with resilience. Like Jesus, clergy are called to lead with compassion and strength, but they are also called to rest, to seek support, and to draw deeply from God’s grace.
As a community, it is vital to recognise this humanity. Our Clergy and Lay leaders need our prayers, our encouragement, and our understanding. They need to be reminded that their worth is not in their ‘performance’ but in their identity as beloved children of God.
Finally, in our scripture, we meet Anna, a prophet who has spent decades in the Temple, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. The temple has been her home and her family. Upon seeing Jesus, she gives thanks to God and speaks about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Anna’s testimony reminds us of the hope we have in Christ. No matter the trials we face, God’s light shines in the darkness. Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s promises—the Redeemer who brings salvation to all people.
So what can we learn from this passage? It calls us to faithfulness, like Mary and Joseph, even when the path is difficult. It reminds us that following Christ may bring opposition and vulnerability, but it also brings profound hope. And it encourages us to support one another as we share in Christ’s mission.
For those in church leadership, it is a reminder that our humanity is not a hindrance but a gift—a means through which Christ’s grace is revealed. For congregations, it is an invitation to see your clergy not only as a package with the church but as people walking the journey of faith alongside you.
So what might this look like? • Acknowledge Their Limits: Understand that leaders both lay and ordained are human, with physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Allow space for them to rest, recharge, and seek personal growth. It is also true that out of sight is not ‘off duty’. There are many individual parts that make up our MA, each one having its own requirements so whilst it may appear that someone is not around, they may just be being available elsewhere. It could also be that they have a secular job and their ministry is in addition to that - as a volunteer, or that they hold multiple church positions. We don’t know everyone’s story, so be generous with kindness. • Extend Grace: Just as leaders encourage congregations to live by grace, offer the same when mistakes are made or expectations fall short. Celebrate their strengths without holding them to perfection – Even Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. • Offer Encouragement and Support; Church leaders often hear criticism more than encouragement. Let them know how their ministry has positively impacted your life or the community. • Pray for Them: Hold your clergy and lay leaders in prayer, both privately and publicly, asking God to grant them wisdom, strength, and peace. • Engage in Ministry with them: Volunteer in church activities, lead small groups, or support outreach programs. By sharing the workload, clergy can attend with pressure to always prepare or perform • Respect Boundaries: Be mindful of their need for personal time and boundaries, understand that they cannot always be “on call” and that they too have private lives and families which may wish to remain private. • Create a Two-Way Relationship: See leaders as fellow Christians walking the same journey of faith. Their role is to guide and serve, but they also need encouragement and care from the congregation.
By extending acceptance and grace to everyone, including those with leadership roles and responsibilities, we help to create a church environment where everyone can flourish and thrive. In this mutual exchange of care, the church becomes a true reflection of Christ’s body—a community where everyone feels valued, supported, and loved regardless of their position within it.
As Simeon proclaimed, Jesus is a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of God’s people Israel. May we, too, reflect that light in our lives, knowing that the God who called us to follow Him will always be with us.
Let us pray: Gracious Lord, You call us to follow You with faith and courage, even when the road is hard. Help us to carry Your light into the world, trusting that Your grace is sufficient for every trial. Strengthen those who serve in ministry, and guide us all in the way of Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Image by Jane Norton