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 84. She never
left the Temple, but worshipped 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.
* * *
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come
like Anna today to live the one thing necessary in my life: my relationship
with you. I believe that you are faithful to your promises. I believe that you
will triumph over sin and death. I love you, Lord.
Petition: Lord, help me to see how I can better
witness to you.
1. She Worshipped: We all have
something we worship. Wisdom teaches us whom we should truly worship: God
alone. God deserves our full hearts, because he is the one who is our true
Father. In worship we rediscover our greatest treasure, as did the Prodigal
Son: “I will return to my Father’s house” (Luke 15:18). In worship we return to
that place where we are most deeply welcomed and cared for, to that place where
we discover our true friend, where we become more deeply our true selves.
Worship also opens us to receive God’s graces. It helps us appreciate the gifts
that God wants to give us. Do I strive to worship God with all my heart, mind
and soul during the Eucharistic Celebration?
2. She Spoke about the Child to All: Prayer and
worship here on earth do not end only in going to church. They allow us to
discover the good news about God’s love, so that we can also share this good
news with others. Prayer that does not lead us to evangelize is self-deception.
Our Holy Father shows us this intimate connection between prayer and
evangelization. He invites us to give to others what we have discovered in
being close to Christ. He challenges us to bring others to Christ. Am I living
this contemplative and active spirit?
3. The Child Grew and Became Strong, and the
Favor of God Was Upon Him: Christmas is a
message of hope. God is quietly preparing the future. A child and a young
person are reminders that God does not give up on the world, that in each
generation he can find new ways of bringing his salvation to all mankind. Am I
youthful, spiritually speaking? Am I always trying to learn what God wants to
teach me each day, striving to form those virtues that will make me a better
instrument of God’s grace? As one who follows Christ, I should have confidence
that God’s favor also rests on me; that he looks at my humble, often hidden
efforts with great love; that in spite of my weakness he is helping others
through me to see the good news that he is present and active in their lives.
Conversation with Christ:
Lord, I thank you for your presence and
care. You have made me in your image, and in the presence of your Son I
discover the depths of your love. Help me to grow in wonder at your love today,
and help me to bring your good news to others.
Resolution: Today I will spend a quiet moment before the child Jesus and thank him
for his presence here among us. I will also strive in a particular way to be
cheerful and friendly to everyone I meet.