When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
     according to your word;
 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
     which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
     and for glory to your people Israel.”

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “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.”

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Growing up, I remember the anticipation of a snow day—sitting by the radio, listening carefully for the announcer to read my school’s name. Now, students refresh social media and know instantly. We used to order from catalogs and wait weeks for delivery. Today, anything slower than two-day shipping feels unreasonable. Over time, we’ve developed a heightened desire for immediacy. Waiting feels inefficient. We expect progress to be visible and fast.

This is why the final line in today’s Gospel lands rather unexpectedly: “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”  Wait…that’s it? 

It’s a striking way to end the story—simple and unhurried. Even Jesus does not skip the process of becoming. He grows within a family, in a town that will never make headlines, shaped by ordinary days and routines. Wisdom forms gradually through experience and relationships. Strength develops through steady commitment.

Today’s Gospel invites us to reconsider our expectations of growth. Where in your life are you demanding immediate results? What might God be inviting you to allow more time to unfold?

—Jackie Schulte is the Interim Head of School and Dean of Faculty Formation at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Lord,
in a world that wants everything now,
teach us to trust the slow work of growth.
Give us patience with ourselves
and confidence that you are forming us over time.
Keep us faithful to the process you are unfolding in us.
Amen

—Jackie Schulte