ANNA, PROPHETESS AND GREAT EVANGELIST.
A PROPHETESS & EVANGELIST CALLED ANNA.
"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." (Luke 2: 36 - 40).
Monday 30th December 2024, 6th Day in the Octave in the Solemnity of Christmas.
Anna, the Prophetess and Evangelist dominates the Gospel Reading as if today is her patronal feast day. Who is Anna and why is she one of the humble and powerful prophets and evangelists in the Gospel?
#1 Anna lived in the Temple for decades and gave herself completely to worshiping God, serving, praying and fasting.
#2 Apart from Mary, Joseph and Simeon, Anna was one of the very first people to see Jesus as an Infant and recognized Him at once in faith as the awaited Messiah. She knew who He is at once and she carried Him in her arms! Wonderful!
#3 Anna is one of the very first Evangelists to announce the Good News.
"And coming forward at that very time, she [Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem." (Luke 2: 38).
What can we say about the character of Anna? The answer is from the first Reading today: (1 John 2: 15 - 17).
"Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2: 15 - 17).
Anna retired to the Temple after she lost her husband as a young woman. She chose not to remarry or hang around and enjoy her husband's wealth.
Brethren, the story of Anna teaches us that it is good to serve the Lord faithfully. Anna and Mary are two examples of great faithfulness in serving God. They faithfully served the Lord not for one year or 10 years or 50 years but day after day all life long. But what is most admirable is the faithfulness of God Himself.
The Bible says that faithfulness is the very essence of who God is. God's character is true and faithful. Both Anna, Mary and Joseph responded to the faithful love and mercies of God to them.
May we do the same everyday in 2025.
HAPPY SOLEMN OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS.
Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."
For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:
THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:
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