傳統上，藝術家通常把西默盎繪畫成一位長者。但細讀福音的內容，卻找不到有關他年齡的描寫。把他看成長者，可能因為在同一場合，有一位超過八十四歲的女先知亞納，也來講論耶穌基督（路2:37-38）。這樣，讀者很自然聯想到西滿盎也是一位長者。又例如瑪竇福音沒有說明有多少位賢士從東方來朝拜耶穌，但因為獻上三份禮物，讀者很自然以為有三位賢士（瑪2:1，11）。
在路加福音之中，西默盎是繼聖母瑪利亞（路1:35）、依撒伯爾、若翰洗者（1:41）及匝加利亞（1:67）之後，第五個充滿聖神的人（2:25-27）。是聖神感動他進人聖殿，以雙臂接過嬰孩耶穌來，並唱出有名的讚歌（2:27-28）。他的榜樣幫助我們反省接受信仰的經歷。
第一，我們是自己選擇相信天主呢？抑或是聖神的感動，令我們相信天主，相信天主教的道理呢？倘若是自己選擇相信，我們便可以選擇不相信！倘若是聖神的感動而非出於自己的選擇，我們就沒有不相信的選擇了。
第二，福音說西默盎「正義虔誠、期待以色列的安慰」（2:25），這些都是信徒應有的特質，一個充滿了聖神之後應有的態度。有了聖神，信徒能明辨事非，自然會追求正義。有聖神在你內呼吸，你怎可能不虔誠，不渴望天主的救恩呢？
第三，倘若亞納是一個女先知，西默盎的身份亦不會次於先知。他的確是一位先知，他不但預言耶穌基督的前途，更為祂作見證。西默盎的確是基督徒的好榜樣！
可敬的西默盎，請為我們轉求，使我們能充滿聖神，像你一樣為基督作證。亞孟。
Simeon, a Man of Spirit (Luke 2:22-35)
Traditionally, Simeon was portrayed as an old man advanced in age. However, reading the gospel passage microscopically, we cannot find any clue on his age. We think that Simeon was old because in the same occasion, an 84-year-old prophetess Anna spoke of Jesus to the people (Luke 2:37-38). Thus readers by association will naturally conclude that Simeon was old. Another example comes from the Matthean Magi narrative which only mentions "Behold, wise men from the East ..." without stating the number. Since they offered Jesus three gifts, readers naturally think, by association, that there were three wise men. (Matthew 2:1, 11)
In the gospel of Luke, Simeon was the fifth person, after the BVM (Luke 1:35), Elizabeth, John (1:41) and Zachariah (1:67) to be filled with the Holy Spirit (2:25-27). It was the Holy Spirit who moved him to enter the Temple, take Jesus in his arms and sing the famous "Nunc Dimittis" (2:27-28). His example helps us reflect on our journey of faith.
Firstly of all, do we choose to believe in God? Or does the Holy Spirit move us to believe in God and in Catholicism? If we choose to believe, we can also choose not to believe! If the Holy Spirit moves us to believe and not us who choose to believe, then we do not have the choice of unbelief.
Secondly, the gospel says Simeon "was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel." (2:25) Believers should possess these characters which are the proper attitudes of a person who is full of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit, believers can discern truth and seek justice. When the Holy Spirit breathes inside you, can you not be pious and desire God's redemption?
Thirdly, if Anna was a prophetess, Simeon could not be less than a prophet. Indeed, he was a prophet. Not only did he foretell the future career of Jesus Christ but he also bore him witness. Simeon was truly an exemplar for all Christians!
Venerable Simeon, intercede for us so that we too can be filled with the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Christ. Amen.
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