The 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:
We have a wonderful example in Anna, the subject of today’s Gospel. She did two things that we can definitely emulate: she spent time in prayerful waiting, and she shared the good news with everyone. During this Christmas season, those are two actions that we should also do, regularly!
It is also helpful to remember that Jesus comes to us, not just at church, but everywhere. He comes to us in the faces of our family when we gather to celebrate or to mourn. He comes to us in the faces of those who are in need, for those are the ones that Jesus paid special attention to during His earthly ministry. And, He comes to us when we see His face in everyone we meet. Not just during this special season, but always, we must see Jesus in everyone we meet.
Why? Because that is how we show we belong to Him and are His heralds in the world. We can make Jesus known not just with our words, but especially with our actions, particularly those actions for those who may feel lost or alone. My prayer for all of you this sacred season is that you know that YOU are loved and cherished by the God who created you, and that you share that love everywhere you go.
Action for the Day:
Now, I am very bad at New Year’s resolutions (just ask my lovely wife!). But what better time than during the Christmas season can we start a new habit of doing one kind act each day, for no reason other than that it is what Jesus calls each of us to do? I pray you start that habit today and carry it through into the year ahead, knowing that you are helping bring Jesus’ kingdom closer by each kind action!
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