St. Simeon, Bishop and Martyr
by Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger, 1876
St. Simeon, whom the Catholic Church commemorates today in Holy Mass and the prayers of the day, was a son of Cleophas. His mother was named Mary, like the Blessed Virgin, and she was, according to the Gospel, also present at the Saviour's death.
There is no doubt that St. Simeon was one of Christ's followers; that he heard His teachings, and saw the many miracles which He wrought. When the apostles dispersed themselves over the whole world, Simeon remained in Jerusalem, zealously endeavoring, with the Apostle James, the first Bishop of the city, to convert the people. After St. James had suffered martyrdom at the hands of the Jews on account of his confessing Christ, St. Simeon was appointed his successor. He administered this sacred office with truly apostolic fervor, strengthening the Christians in their faith, and leading them in the path of virtue, while he unweariedly preached the crucified Christ to the heathen. On the arrival of the Romans, who besieged, conquered and devastated the city, he, obeying Christ, fled with all the Christians to a small town called Pella, on the other side of the river Jordan. As soon as the Roman legions, after demolishing the city, retired, Simeon returned with his flock. Under these circumstances, the holy Bishop's labor and anxiety for the temporal as well as spiritual welfare of those under his care, was very great. He, however, worked unceasingly, and had the satisfaction to see that the number of the faithful daily increased; and with it their devotion and virtue. To disturb all this, Satan sent several heretics, who, like wolves, forced their way into the fold of Christ, and attempted to seduce the faithful with their false, godless teachings. But St. Simeon, who watched over his flock day and night, refuted so energetically their false doctrines, and exposed the promulgaters of them to so much ignominy, that they were forced to flee away.
In the reign of the Emperor Trajan arose a terrible persecution of the Christians. Those who were of the race of King David were especially sought after, as it was feared that from among them a new Messiah might arise and cause another insurrection. Hence Jews, as well as Christians, who descended from Judah, and whose ancestor was David, were taken captive and beheaded. Amongst those first seized was St. Simeon. It was well known that he was not only a Christian, but even a Bishop, and that he was descended from the suspected race. Consequently, the Jews accused him before the Roman Governor, Atticus. At that period Simeon had already reached his 120th year. Atticus asked him if it was true that he was of the race of Judah, and a follower of Christ of Nazareth. Both questions the Saint answered fearlessly in the affirmative. The Governor assured him that in consideration of his advanced age, no harm should be done him, but that he should be loaded with presents if he would only renounce Christ and sacrifice to the gods of the Empire. The venerable man manifested the greatest horror that any one should dare to make such a request and said: "No, never, in all eternity, will I renounce Christ, nor sacrifice to idols. Your gods have been wicked people, who now burn in hell! Jesus Christ alone is the true God."
This, and much more, Simeon said with so much true dignity that most of those present seemed to be deeply, touched. To keep down this emotion, Atticus ordered that the holy man should be most severely scourged. The order was immediately executed, and the blood of the Saint soon streamed upon the ground. But he stood immovable, giving no sign of despondency but of deep inward joy. The following day they tortured him again in various most barbarous ways, but he evinced the same fortitude, and even joy. Atticus, as well as all others who witnessed it, could not comprehend how a man of his years had strength to endure torments, under which the most powerful hero would have succumbed. But God, who had already given the heathen many examples of Christian heroism, in tender boys and maidens, now showed what, with His grace, an feeble old man could endure, for the glory of the Christian faith. The Governor, desirous to make an end of the scene, sentenced Simeon to be crucified, saying, that as he ceased not to preach Christ, he should die the same ignominious death as Christ. But no kind of death could have been more welcome to this valiant confessor of Christ. Having prayed, he put off his garment, laid himself upon the cross which was in readiness for him, and offered his hands and feet to be nailed. They fastened him upon the cross, and then raised it. No possible suffering could have been greater, yet was it excelled by his patience. He proclaimed, once more, from the cross, with a loud voice, that Christ is the true God and the Saviour of the world. Imitating Him, he prayed for his executioners, commended his soul into the hands of the Almighty, and ended his holy life by a death so glorious, and so much resembling that of Christ, that the contemplation of it strengthened the Christians in their faith, and was the means of converting many of the heathens to the knowledge of the true God.
Practical Considerations
St. Simeon was crucified, St. Nicephorus was beheaded for confessing the Christian faith. Although you have no occasion to be crucified or beheaded for the same cause, you have still ample opportunities to crucify yourself and your flesh: and this you must do if you earnestly desire to be saved. St. Paul says: "That those that are Christ's have crucified their flesh with its vices and concupiscences." (Galat. chap. v). This crucifixion consists, according to the teachings of St. Anselm, in zealously practising mortifications: such as fasting, and by them chastising the body; or, according to St. Augustine, in suppressing evil inclinations and temptations, and strenuously resisting them. According to other holy Fathers, this crucifixion consists in deadening the bodily senses, and in using them in no manner that will offend God. If you, therefore, would crucify yourself, as it is your duty to do, at least keep the fasts, even though it prove a hard task for the body. Keep your eyes, your ears, your tongue, your hands, etc., in subjection. Turn your eyes from dangerous objects. Close your ears to unchaste, slanderous, or otherwise sinful speeches. Let your tongue say nothing that may offend God. Pollute not your lips with forbidden kisses. Stretch not out your hands with evil intentions. Let not your feet carry you to places where you run into danger of offending God. In a word, do not use one limb of your body in any way to offend the Almighty, even though your corrupt and wickedly inclined nature incites you to it. Resist your anger, your pride, your ambition and all other sinful inclinations. In this manner you crucify your flesh and yourself, and thus, not only do you belong to Christ the Lord, but also you confess your faith in Him by this kind of martyrdom.
St. Simeon reaches the age of 120 years, and then ends his long, holy life by a glorious and holy death. Will you become as old? Will you end your life with a happy death? This second question St. Augustine answers, with the assurance that your death will not be unhappy if your life is spent piously. He says: "He who has lived piously cannot die miserably or unhappily." These same words the holy teacher repeats more than once in the same sermon. "It is quite sure," says he, " that he who has lived in piety cannot die in misery." Returning to the first question, I hardly believe that you promise yourself to become as old as St. Simeon: and yet you hope to live long. Upon what do you build this hope? Upon your youth, your strength, or your health? Oh! how weak a foundation! Hundreds and hundreds have existed who were as young, as strong and as healthy as you, and yet they died early. The rich man in the Gospel hoped yet to live many years, but the same night his soul was required of him. Hope deceived him. Take heed that you do not thus deceive yourself. The surest way is this: never defer, in the hope of a long life, that which you need to enable you to die happily and to attain everlasting happiness, as otherwise, you are in danger of everlasting destruction. Meditate often upon the words of the pious Thomas a Kempis: "O fool! How can you believe that you will live long, when you are not sure of one single day? How many who thought that they would live long, have been deceived, and have died suddenly! Do now what is needful to be done, for you know not how soon the hour of your death may come."
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