|
Scripture
Luke 2:36-40 There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple; day and night she worshiped God, fasting and praying. That very same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free. When Joseph and Mary had finished doing all that was required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and God's blessings were upon him. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Reflection Anna was a prophetess who remained at the temple day and night, worshiping, fasting and praying. Most people would have disregarded Anna as an elderly woman who didn’t have much to offer the world because she was a bit religious, always in church praying. It may be that for some of us that our gift to the Church and to the community is to be in the background praying. Our Churches and communities need to be held in prayer as they try to navigate the crises of today, including the pandemic. Anna was in the right place at the right time when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the Temple. Inspired by the Holy spirit her wisdom enabled her to recognise this tiny baby was the Saviour of the world. Her spirituality spilled into thanksgiving to God and those prophetic words she spoke to Mary and Joseph. Anna and Simeon, who was present in the temple also, “saw salvation because they were expecting it. They were eyes that were waiting, full of hope”. (Pope Francis) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Prayer Anna, the prophetess, was filled with the spirit of wisdom and hope by the Holy Spirit. We now pray to the Holy Spirit to come to our 21st century troubled world. Come, Holy Spirit, Come, Spirit of God, Come with your peace, your power, your light. Come with forgiveness, courage and hope. Come now to our suffering world, sick with a virus and everywhere threatened with silent death, but most cruelly among your poorest children. Come to our first responders, our doctors and nurses and hospital staff, the men and women who preserve the civic order and protect us from fire and bring us our food. Come now to the hearts and minds of scientists seeking a vaccine for the pandemic, to all who support their work, bringing to it in equal measure patience and commitment. Comforter, we call you, Counselor, Consoler,Advocate and Paraclete. Come to the hearts and minds of all who seek to walk with those who suffer. With your gift, the community of believers who came to be called Church, was born. Strengthen us to be working signs for all humanity to be one, a community of mutual care. Amen. (Leo J. O’Sullivan S.J. Abridged) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Music Today we have reflected on the bringing of the infant Jesus to the temple and how he was adored by Anna the Prophetess. May we too come to adore Jesus. Today we use a contemporary version of O Come Let Us Adore Him by Hillsong. |
