Gospel
Lk 2:36-40
There was 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.
REFLECTION
" spoke about the child"
We all know the sweet smell of a baby. As parents we want to write down all the many things we want to tell them in the hope they will understand as they get older. Did Mary weep when she heard the words of Simeon and Anna? Did she find comfort in her Father? Did she spill her tears and He dried them?
There were two obligations that needed to be fulfilled in the Old Testament laws: The Presentation of the Child and the Purification of the Mother. Every first born was to be consecrated to God and live a life of temple service or be bought back with 5 shekels.
Simon and Anna knew He was the Messiah, whose life would be spent in service of the Lord and who would be the salvation of the world.
Today's celebration of the Presentation celebrates our salvation.
May the new year 2024 be a time when we discard all our worldly affections, spread the Word of God to many. Let us imitate Mary and she will show us how to be children of God, to run to Him with confidence of His love and concern for us and show us how to be closer to her Son.
"You best meet the supernatural when you make your heart like a hut that is empty of everything but the bare essentials." (A Song for Nagasaki)
God bless you.
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