The Holy Gospel according to Luke (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:
Saint John Henry Newman states the following:
God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons…
We all have a unique and exceptional gift (or callings) that develops into something nourishing and valuable to others. These gifts mature by the encounters we have experienced in our lives. Whatever gift(s) that we possess, we are asked to spread it with fellow strangers. We are asked to fulfill these gifts with a hearty commitment.
There is a Greek word “diakonia” which is often used in the Bible to describe the act of service, signifying a ministry of helping others or the gift of service. That is where the word Deacon derives from and that is exactly what we are vowed to do. But “diakonia” is not just limited to Deacons, it is also available to everyone.
The “spiritual gift of service” refers to a special ability given by the Holy Spirit where an individual finds joy and fulfillment in actively identifying and meeting the practical needs of others. A person with this gift naturally seeks out ways to assist others in practical ways, taking initiative to identify needs and fulfill them with love and kindness.
Some examples of these gifts include Teaching, Wisdom, Faith, Mercy, Healing, Leadership, Hope, Joy, Love, Kindness, Blessing or Grace, comfort and peace.
All the Anna’s of our church, the Tia’s; Tita’s; the Abuela’s, the Lola’s, and all our sisters; reflect on how we can emulate Anna’s commitment to prayer and faith, actively seeking God’s presence in our daily lives and sharing our gifts with others.
Action of the Day:
Question to Ponder: How does Anna’s story challenge you to deepen your own prayer life?
Audio Reflection:
Link to DEACON5 Website: https://deacon5.com/