Replies

The Solemn Mass with Pope Benedict will be on EWTN today:

Thursday February 2, 2006 11:30 AM LIVE (eastern)
Thursday February 2, 2006 9:00 PM ENCORE

Also, this was in EWTN's Q&A a couple days ago:

Simeon's prophecy and Mary's role
Question from John on 1/30/2006:

Dear Fr. Lewis,

I have a question about the prophecy of Simeon, particularly on how it relates to Mary's role. Luke 2:34 (DRV) And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be contradicted. 2:35. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.

From the way that Simon said this, it seems that we could understand that "thoughts may be revealed" as a result of: a) the child: i.e. what Jesus will do
b) the fact that Mary's soul will be pierced by a sword
c) both a and b

Is it correct to lean toward (c), that the "thoughts will be revealed" primarily because of Jesus's action, and that they will also be revealed by Mary's role? It seems that this supports the belief that Mary's role is joined with Jesus.

By the way, in the King James Version, most of verse 35 is in a parentheseis, as it seems that those translators were trying to force an interpretation of only choice (a) above.

Thank you so much for your work in this forum.

Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 1/30/2006:
Dear John, You are a great exegete. Wonderful! I have read this text all my life and simply speaking interpreted the verses about the thoughts of many as the effect of Jesus' preaching and suffering and death. His contemporaries and all the whole world since then have had thoughts about Jesus, good and profitable thoughts as well as contrary ones. God bless you. Fr. Bob Levis