Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Placing Simeon’s song (Nunc Dimittis) after the distribution illuminates the glory of the gift we receive in the Lord’s Supper. As Simeon saw the fulfillment of God’s promise and the return of God’s glory to His temple, Simeon was ready to die in peace. So also, the saints who receive the body and blood of Christ have seen and received in themselves the salvation of God.
When the pastor says, “Depart in peace,” He is not saying, “Go back to your seats quietly,” Rather, we are singing a joyous funeral hymn. We are saying, “I’m ready to die in peace.” Each leaves the altar ready to die in peace; they have seen and received the salvation of God, prepared in the presence and for the benefit of all people.
- Roy S Askins
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