Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Luke (2: 22-35) in which a devout man named Simeon encounters the Holy Family in the temple as they take Jesus to be presented in accordance with Jewish custom. Fr Paul says today we hear the story of the presentation of the child Jesus in the temple it is dominated by Simeon’s welcome, ‘a light to enlighten the gentiles and the glory of your people Israel’, and by his warning to Mary, ‘a sword will pierce your heart’. Simeon reiterates the angel’s promise that the child would fulfil the destiny of Israel and Israel’s task to the nations. Much like any family life, the promised future included the delights of the growing, developing child, but also the background of fear that the great destiny of each child may include sorrow and even heartbreak. For our reflection, Fr Paul invites us to consider, ‘How much did Mary and Joseph know about the precious child they were nurturing?’