6th day in the Octave of Christmas – Gospel
36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.
Commentary on Luke 2:36-40
Today’s Gospel is a continuation of yesterday’s reading about the Presentation in the Temple. It deals with the second person who was present on that day. Her name was Anna and she is described as a prophetess, in other words, a person who was a spokesperson for God. One does not often meet women prophets in the Scriptures—most of them are men. She was also quite elderly:
…having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four.
And, as we have said before, widows were at the lowest rung of the social ladder. They had very little chance of getting remarried, and as such, were very unlikely to have children after being widowed.
But Anna was a deeply spiritual person who spent her waking hours in the Temple, praying and fasting. She also came on the scene just as Jesus and his parents were in the Temple. She, too, must have realised the true identity of the Child, and gave thanks to God. She then began to speak about the Child to everyone, especially those awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
This short passage says a few important things:
- Our social status is of no consequence where our relationship with God is concerned.
- If we want to be close to God, prayer has to be a very important part of our day.
- Jesus can come into our life at any time and in any place—it may be a church or it may be at a dance.
- Once we really come to know Jesus, we cannot keep it to ourselves, but must share the experience with the people around us, especially those who are looking for some meaning in their lives.
