The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today echo the joy and celebration that we share through our relationship with Jesus, that is our defence against worldly desires.
The reading from the First Letter of John addresses members of the community concerning desires of the world.
* [2:12–17] The Christian community that has experienced the grace of God through forgiveness of sin and knowledge of Christ is armed against the evil one.
* [2:12] For his name’s sake: because of Christ our sins are forgiven.
* [2:15] The world: all that is hostile toward God and alienated from him. Love of the world and love of God are thus mutually exclusive; cf. Jas 4:4.
* [2:16] Sensual lust: literally, “the lust of the flesh,” inordinate desire for physical gratification. Enticement for the eyes: literally, “the lust of the eyes,” avarice or covetousness; the eyes are regarded as the windows of the soul. Pretentious life: literally, “pride of life,” arrogance or ostentation in one’s earthly style of life that reflects a willful independence from God and others. (1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 96 offers praise to God Who Comes in Judgement.
* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Anna joins the Presentation in the Temple before the return to Nazareth.
* [2:22–40] The presentation of Jesus in the temple depicts the parents of Jesus as devout Jews, faithful observers of the law of the Lord (Lk 2:23–24, 39), i.e., the law of Moses. In this respect, they are described in a fashion similar to the parents of John (Lk 1:6) and Simeon (Lk 2:25) and Anna (Lk 2:36–37). (Luke, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)
Gladyce Janky imagines that Anna yearned to hold the little boy, and Mary seemed more than willing to give her son to the prophetess. Cuddling Jesus in her arms, Anna knew this was the child in her vision as the light surrounding him filled the emptiness within her.
God, this is not my son, but he feels like he is mine. No, Anna, my beloved daughter, he is much more than that. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Anna understood she was holding God's hope for the world. As she handed the baby back to Mary, she said, “God has blessed you with a son who will comfort those who suffer. His light will fill their emptiness with God's love, for he is the light of the world.” In a voice heard throughout the temple, Anna joyfully shouted, “Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!” ( Ps 96:11) (Janky, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus, though rich, became poor for us,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"Anna, who, by reason of her years of widowhood and her virtues, is set before us as wholly worthy of belief, announces that the Redeemer of all people has come... Not without purpose, however, does he make mention of the eighty-four years of her widowhood, because both the seven twelves and the two forties seemed to imply a number that is sacred."(excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.62) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 2:36-40 comments that Anna shows us the key for waiting peacefully and letting God’s plan play out: she prayed. She spent her days and nights worshipping in the Temple.
So today and every day, “go to the Temple.” Come into the presence of God with an expectant heart. He is always available to you. He always hears your cries for help. And though he may answer in unexpected ways, his arms are always open wide. He is always ready to give you his love and peace. As you follow Anna’s example, you will become more alert to the signs of God’s faithfulness in your life, and that will empower you to hold on to hope even as you wait.
“Lord, help me to wait with expectant faith! ” (Meditation on Luke 2:36-40, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that the Letter of John addresses the range of believers from those new to the faith to those who have believed for a long time about avoiding the Evil One and the enticements of the world. The text is very dualistic and presents belonging to Jesus or to the world dragged down by concupiscence. Friar Jude reminds us that Luke uses the testimony of Anna to follow the testimony of the male prophet.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on what it means to live as “salt of the earth”.
First of all, he’s not saying that those who live this way are going to heaven. He is saying that they will be a certain kind of gift for the earth. What a misinterpretation has been handed on, again and again! We think of Jesus’ teaching as a set of prescriptions for getting to heaven (even though we haven’t followed them.) No, the Sermon on the Mount and especially the Beatitudes are a set of descriptions of a free life.
When we can weep, when we can identify with the little ones, when we can make peace, when we can be persecuted and still be joyful—then we are doing it right. He’s saying this is what holiness will look like. When we act this way, “the reign of God is among you” (Luke 17:21).
“If salt becomes tasteless, how can we salt the world with it?” asks Jesus. That message seems especially true today. If we no longer believe the gospel, if we no longer believe in nonviolence and powerlessness, then who’s going to convert us? We’re supposed to be the leaven of the world, yet if we no longer believe in the gospel, what hope do we have of offering anything new to anyone else? (Rohr, n.d.)
We continue to celebrate, as we ponder the proclamation of Anna, the possibilities for love, truth and compassion in following the Way of Jesus.
References
Janky, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/123024.html
Luke, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?
Meditation on Luke 2:36-40. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/30/1168618/
1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/2?12
Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?7
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Salt of the Earth. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/salt-of-the-earth/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Anna Recognized the Coming of Christ and Gave Thanks to God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec30
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