Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

• Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3
• Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
• Luke 2:22-40

Oh, boy!  Something was up!  Just a few minutes ago, Dad had told everyone to gather in the living room for the Gospel reading.  Then he quickly dashed upstairs to join Mom.  Something was going on!

Soon two figures appeared at the top of the stairs. 

“I think it’s Mom and Dad … ?” Hillary questioned as the figures moved down the staircase.  But these figures were all dressed up.  The male figure was dressed as an old man in biblical times.  He wore a long gown, a rope belt, and a head veil.  The other figure was dressed as an old woman, also wearing a long biblical gown.

“Greetings, Family!” the man said.  It sure sounded like Dad!  “Today, we are going to read the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2.  Peter, will you be our narrator for this Gospel?”

“Sure … um … Dad,” Peter said as he grabbed the Bible.  Peter turned to the page as Dad assigned the rest of the parts and started passing out the props that he and Mom had organized.

“Okay,” Dad continued, “Peter is the narrator, Lucy will be Mary, and Vincent will be Joseph … ” he said, as he placed head veils on them.  “Newborn Baby Nice-Nice will play the part of Jesus … ” Dad said, as he handed Hillary’s precious baby doll to Mary and Joseph.  Then, Dad pulled out of the bag two white ski caps loaded down with feathers.  “And Hillary and Baby Ben get to be … TA-DA! … the two turtle doves!  Now, in our Gospel reading for today, there are two more important people.”

“Who are they?” Lucy asked her father.

“Well, Lucy,” Dad answered, “I am playing the part of Simeon.  He was a very wise and holy man, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

“What does that mean, Daddy,” little Hillary asked.

“It means, Hillary, that Simeon was a prayerful, wise man that God used to tell people the ways of God,” Dad said.  “He was told by God that he would not die until he saw the Messiah.”

Mom continued.  “And I am dressed as Anna.  Anna was a prophetess, which means that she was also inspired by the Holy Spirit and knew many things.  Anna, like Simeon, recognized Jesus as the true Messiah.”

“So now, on with our Gospel reading for this morning,” Dad announced.  “Places, Everyone!  Peter, if you please … “

Peter began the reading, and the actors took their cues from the words of the Gospel.  Mary and Joseph and the Baby Jesus came into the living room which now served as the temple.  Little Hillary and Ben followed behind, flapping their arms and cooing as the two turtle doves.  They stopped when they came up to Simeon.  Dad took the doll into his arms and looked at Peter to stop reading.  He held up the doll.  From memory, Dad recited the Canticle of Simeon:

” ‘Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.’ ”  (Luke 2:29-32)

Peter continued on, reading how Simeon told Mary that Jesus would experience sorrow in His life and that a sword of sorrow would pierce Mary also.

Simeon moved away, and Mom, as Anna, approached Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.  Anna had just gotten off her knees in the corner of the living room because Peter read how Anna was always in prayer and worship, even at the age of 84!

Anna also took the Baby Jesus into her arms and, with loud utterings, blessed God. 

“Okay, Anna … ” Peter finally said, as Mom uttered on.

The Gospel ended with Peter pronouncing, “When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of 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.”  (Luke 2:39-40)   Peter closed the Bible. 

“Great job, Guys!”  Dad exclaimed to his family.  “Isn’t it fun to have our Scriptures come alive for us?”  And to his wife, he added, “And you were a great Anna, Therese!  Those utterings and blessings added a lot!”

Then Mom, still dressed as Anna, began receiving another prophetic word from God. 

“What is it, Mom?” Vincent asked her.  “What is God telling you this time?”

In a dramatic voice, Anna/Mom replied, “It is now time to go forth for praise and worship!  You shall not be late!”

“God is telling me that, too!” Dad, as Simeon, replied.

“And me … and me … and me!” echoed around the room from each of the Paulines.

“And when God speaks,” Dad concluded, “we always listen!”

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