Opening Game
Have some Magic Eye pictures ready for the teens to explore at the start of the meeting. Begin by challenging them to find the hidden images in the pictures. Give them at least 5 to 10 minutes for this activity.
- Did you enjoy searching for the hidden images?
- Who found it easy?
- Who found it difficult?
- Was it helpful when someone else pointed out what to look for?
- Did it take patience?
Sometimes we can be looking directly at something and still not see it. But when the image finally comes into focus, we wonder how we missed it before!
Scripture Reading
Read Luke 2:22-40 (the Gospel for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “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 the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
[The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted – and you yourself a sword will pierce – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
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.]
Discussion
Simeon had been waiting his entire life for one moment—to see the Messiah. He was a devout man, and the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before seeing the Christ. Think about that for a minute. Imagine being told by God that you would witness the Savior of the world in your lifetime. That’s a big promise, and it shows just how deeply Simeon trusted in God’s word.
The Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to be in the temple. He didn’t know exactly why, but he followed that inner nudge. That day he saw a young couple with their baby. At first glance, there was nothing special about this scene. Just a mom and dad with their newborn, coming to the temple like so many other Jewish families to fulfill the religious customs. But Simeon saw something different. He looked at that baby and knew—this was the Messiah. This tiny, vulnerable child was the one he had been waiting for. It wasn’t just a baby in his arms; it was the salvation of the world.
Anna, too, had been waiting for something. She was an elderly woman who had dedicated her life to God. After becoming a widow, she spent her days and nights in the temple, fasting and praying. She was waiting, hoping, longing to encounter God in a special way. And on the day that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, her prayers were answered. When she saw the child, she immediately recognized Him as the Redeemer. She began to praise God and tell everyone about the child who would bring salvation to Israel.
What’s amazing about Simeon and Anna is that they were able to see the Messiah where others saw only a baby. They had this deep, spiritual vision that allowed them to recognize God in what seemed like an ordinary moment. But for them, this was what they had been waiting for their whole lives. Seeing Jesus brought them peace and joy beyond words.
Simeon’s words are especially powerful: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation.” For Simeon, seeing Jesus was enough. It fulfilled God’s promise to him, and it gave him the peace to face the end of his life. He didn’t need anything else because he had encountered God in a way that changed everything.
We might not encounter Jesus in the exact same way that Simeon and Anna did, but we can still meet God in our lives. God is always with us, guiding us, loving us, and working for our good. But here’s the thing: sometimes it’s not easy to recognize Him. Life can get busy, distracting, or even discouraging, and we might overlook the ways God is trying to reach out to us.
Just like Simeon and Anna, we need to be patient and open to recognizing God. It might take time, and it might not be in the way we expect. But if we keep our hearts open, God will reveal Himself to us. He might speak to us through the people we meet, through the beauty of creation, or in the quiet moments of prayer. Sometimes, it’s about seeing God in the ordinary—just like Simeon and Anna saw God in a baby.
Think about your own life for a moment. Where have you encountered God this week? Maybe it was in a kind word from a friend or a moment of peace during a busy day. Where do you go when you want to encounter God? Do you find Him in prayer, in nature, in the Eucharist, or in serving others? Have you ever found God in a place you didn’t expect? Maybe in a difficult situation or when you were feeling lost?
How do you feel when you suddenly realize that God is near? Maybe it’s a feeling of comfort, joy, or even awe. When we recognize God in our lives, it can change everything. It reminds us that we are not alone, that we are loved, and that God is always working in our lives, even when we don’t see it right away.
Small Group Reflection Questions
Sharing in small groups gives youth a chance to learn from each other. It’s a safe space to talk about experiences and thoughts. Use this time to explore how we can recognize God in our daily lives.
- How can we help others recognize God in their lives?
- Have you ever felt God’s presence in an unexpected place? Share the experience.
- What helps you feel closer to God? Is it prayer, nature, music, or something else?
- Can you think of a time when you felt God was guiding you? What happened?
- How do you react when you feel God is near? Does it bring you peace, joy, or something else?
- Do you find it easy or hard to recognize God in your daily life? Why?
- Have you ever seen God’s work through other people? Can you share an example?
- What can you do to become more aware of God’s presence each day?
- How does recognizing God in your life change the way you live?
- Do you think patience plays a role in recognizing God? How so?
Challenge
This week, I challenge you to follow the example of Simeon and Anna. As you go about your daily life, make a conscious effort to look for God in the ordinary moments. It could be in a kind word from a friend, a beautiful sunset, or even in a moment of silence.
Be patient and open to His presence, just as Simeon and Anna were. Remember, God often reveals Himself in simple, everyday experiences. When you do recognize God, take a moment to let it fill you with the peace and hope that only He can provide.
Each night before you go to bed, pray Simeon’s prayer: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation.”
Reflect on your day and think of at least one place where you encountered God. It might be something small or something significant, but acknowledge it and give thanks. Then, as you say the prayer, allow yourself to rest in the peace of knowing that you have seen salvation in your life. Let this nightly reflection help you end each day with a sense of gratitude and closeness to God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this time together, and for the ways You reveal Yourself in our lives. Help us to be like Simeon and Anna, patient and open to recognizing Your presence in the ordinary moments. As we go from here, give us eyes to see You and hearts to respond with love and gratitude. Guide us in our journey of faith, and may we always trust in Your promises. Fill us with Your peace and hope, knowing that You are always near. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
More Resources
More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
For more information, see https://young-catholics.com/5890/seeing-lesson-plan-recognizing-god/