Lk 2:36–40
There was also a prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. After leaving her father’s home, she had been seven years with her husband; and since then, she had been continually about the temple, serving God, as a widow, night and day, in fasting and prayer. She was now eighty-four. Coming up at that time, she gave praise to God, and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When the parents had fulfilled all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their town, Nazareth in Galilee. There, the child grew in stature and strength, and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon him.
REFLECTION
Old people are more sensitive to the changes that usually happen around them, Probably it’s because they are more attuned to the now, having their mortality firmly fixed in their mind. They savor the present unlike others who still have the time to focus on something else. Thus Anna was with an equally old man Simeon at the Temple when the baby Jesus was presented as was the custom. They thanked God for their good fortune. The hopes and fears of ages past was now right before their eyes. They die assured that God was and is true to His word.
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