We hear those unforgettable words of the Prophet Simeon, “Nunc Dimittis”, (now dismiss) It has the spirit of “Ok, I can die now, I’ve seen the beginning of what I have longed for.” First and foremost, this is the declaration that Jesus is the long awaited Savior. But Simeon’s peaceful attitude in the final stage of his life can also be our prayer too.
There is a scene in The Lord of the Rings that captures this important saintly understanding of life and death. Admittedly, many who watch Tolkien’s parable are left wondering, where are the Catholic themes? Allow me to share just one insight. In this famous Trilogy, we find King Theoden dying on the battlefield. Theoden, who was King of Rohan, dies fighting for the Kingdom of Gondor. This fact alone shows he has a Catholic virtue; the virtue of seeing the universal nature of his mission. In this he is somewhat like General Casmir Pulaski, who was a native Pole. He is killed on the last day of the Siege of Savannah, during the American Revolution. Both Theoden and Pulaski fight because they see the cause is just. They stand above the error of General Robert E Lee, who disliked slavery, but nonetheless fought for his “motherland”, Virginia.
It was the evil Saruman who had corrupted Theoden’s mind and body. The good guy, Gandalf, acts like Moses whose staff cured the Israelites from the snake bites. He brings Theoden back to his strong and kingly best with his staff. During the epic battle to save Middle Earth, we find Theoden paraphrasing Simeon. Theoden’s granddaughter, Éowyn, declares, “I’m going to save you.” With all the confidence of Simeon, Theoden responds, “You already did. I go to my fathers; in whose company I shall not be ashamed.” It is a clean conscience and knowledge of God’s mercy that allows us the grace of a peaceful death. Theoden died at peace because he saw the battle was all but won and he is dying a hero and not a coward.
Like Simeon, you and I become heroes when we stand up in public and declare Christ is King. This powerful tale pushes us to contemplate our preparedness for eternity. What is it that we long for? What is it that we are willing to fight for? To die for? Do we long for the reign of Our Lord today?
And now I want to say something directly to any young adult Catholic who maybe reading this and who is living with their “significant other”. As I ponder Simeon’s prayer, I cannot help but think of a thousand mothers who long to see their son or daughter marry in the Catholic church. If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a hundred times, “I only wish, that before I die, my precious child, would come back to the church and get married.”
There is a real connection between these two prayers. Jesus lived and died to establish His church so don’t be afraid dear young ones to take that step into reality. When we declare boldly that marriage is a sacrament, we declare Christ is king.