01/31/2025
"Spo'o'bovva, innit? You've oi'd yer last bruv, you 'ave!"
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JOKE-OGRAPHY: 1. In this Bible story, Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the temple for His presentation, according to the Mosaic Law. While they're there, a totally righteous old dude named Simeon happens to be visiting at the same time. The Holy Spirit had promised Simeon that he wouldn't see death before he'd seen the Christ. When Simeon met the Holy Family and held Jesus, he knew this was the Christ he'd been promised. Then he blessed the parents and gave them a bittersweet prophecy about Jesus's future mission and the toll it would take. 2. As part of his prophecy, Simeon tells Mary, "This Child is destined for the rise and fall of many in Israel; a Sign that will be contradicted, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And your own [heart/soul/self] a sword shall pierce." I've heard two interpretations of the "sword shall pierce" line. The first is that even Mary's immaculate heart will not be spared questioning by her Son, who tells His followers that His true family (and those who are truly blessed) are those who "hear the word of God and observe it"; of course, Mary did just that throughout her life, and proved it with her "yes" at the Annunciation, but by calling her blessedness into question before His followers, Jesus reveals to us exactly where her blessedness comes from. The second interpretation of Simeon's words is that Mary will be made to endure the passion and death of her only Son -- a suffering that would strike any mother to the core. Though I like both interpretations, in this cartoon, my wording assumes the latter. 3. In the Bible, when Simeon gives his "sword shall pierce" prophecy, the holy couple listens silently and attentively. In this cartoon, Mary is shown to interpret Simeon's words figuratively, preparing her for her Son's mission. Meanwhile, Joseph is shown to interpret Simeon's words literally, as if he's threatening to stab Mary himself like some kind of English thug from the 1400s... or the 2020s.
