Gospel for December 30th

Gospel
Lk 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.

Comments:
An old widow named Anna who lived at the temple worshiping God and fasting was allowed to see the Christ before she died. God blesses those who truly seek him. We are reminded of this promise over and over in the Holy Scriptures. How few people take this promise to heart. Out of the thousands of people in Israel only a few people were allowed to see the King in his infancy. A few humble shepherds and an Old man Simeon and an Old lady Anna. I'm sure many others saw the infant Jesus but only a few recognized him as Lord and King.

The Scripture specifically mentions that Anna remained a widow after the death of her husband. This shows how God gives a special grace and honor to those who choose to renounce everything in this world to devote their lives completely to Him.

Anna spoke to all the people who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. I wonder how many people really listened to this old woman? How often do we pass by God's messengers in our lives? God uses strange means to speak to us sometimes. The people of Israel were longing for their redemption. God sent the redeemer but it wasn't in the way they were expecting.

Joseph and Mary obeyed the commands of the Lord. With what little they had they obeyed. Despite the difficulty they faced they still obeyed. Obedience to God is so important. We should fulfill the commandments of God in spirit and to the letter. How easy it is to cut corners when things are inconvenient to us. Joseph and Mary are our examples to fulfill all the prescriptions of the law in our lives no matter how difficult it may seem. Here's something I read the other day - "Religion without devotion is a burden".

Unless we are devoted to God with our heart our obedience to Him may just become a burden. If we are in love with God the obedience is so much easier.


The Holy family returned to Nazareth - The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

This verse speaks of the humanity of Jesus. It is important to never forget that Jesus was True God and True Man. Most of the heresies of the Church has resulted in seeing Jesus as only Spirit or only Man. The Church has been guided through the centuries by the Holy Spirit and led to the truth of seeing Jesus as the incarnate Son of God. True God and True Man. We are safe to stay with the Church.

Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ