Mary, Woman of Sorrow

Chapter 6 refers to Jesus dedication at the temple. As the Torah prescribed, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple for his dedication as the first offspring and Mary's purification. As they entered the temple, though, and elderly man named Simeon took Jesus in his arms and said, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." These words, as McKnight notes, basically confirm Joseph's and Mary's beliefs about their son.

But Simeon finishes with these words: "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too." This is the first time that Mary has heard anything like this, and McKnight believes that it stunned Mary. McKnight writes,
Simeon's words meant that the much-anticipated overthrow of Herod the Great and the routing of Caesar Augustus would come at great cost--to her son and to herself. Her son was born to be king, but the crown her son was to wear would be a cross. The story Mary was learning to tell about Jesus had to change.
It must have been difficult for Mary as well as others to put the pieces of Jesus' story together in a way that made sense. Simeon's prophecy was one indicator that Jesus life would not turn out the way they expected.