HOMILY OF TUESDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: HOPE
BY: Fr. Mike Lagrimas
1 John 2:12-17; Psalm 95(96):7-10; Luke 2:36-40
There was also 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.
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The Gospel is the continuation of yesterday’s story about the Presentation in the Temple. There is the mention of another person who was also present in the Temple on that day. Her name is Anna, and she is described as a prophetess – in other words, God’s spokesperson.
Most of the prophets are men. Anna stands out as an exception to this. She is a woman, a widow and very old. Her husband died after only seven years of living together. Women are considered second class citizens in a highly patriarchal society like that of the Jews. They are not given any important position in the community. And widows are in a much worse situation. Without a husband or a son, they are practically social nobodies in the Jewish society.
Yet, in spite of this, the Gospel says that Anna is a woman-prophet. God chooses her to be one of His spokespersons. This is because she is a holy woman, spending her waking hours in the Temple, praying and fasting. Hence, she has a profound and intimate relationship with God. That makes her truly sensitive to the promptings of God’s Spirit. That is why, when Mary and Joseph enter the Temple, she recognizes right away the Child Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.
She, then, “speaks about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” Not only does she praise and thank God. She cannot keep her joy to herself but tells all the people about the Child. She goes around sharing her joy of having found Jesus and of knowing that our redemption has finally begun. The Good News, after all, must be proclaimed and shared. We may, therefore, certainly say that Anna and the shepherds in Bethlehem as the first missionaries, for they proclaimed to others the truth about Jesus.
The Gospel story about Anna is told in only three short verses, but it teaches us some important lessons. First, God always chooses the humble and simple persons, those who are considered nothing by society, as effective instruments in His plan for the salvation of mankind.
Second, a consistent and fervent prayer life makes one truly close and pleasing to God. As St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori said, “He who prays most receives most.”
Third, Jesus always wants to enter into our life, but oftentimes we are not sensitive enough of His presence. Of the multitude of people inside the Temple on that day, only Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus.
And finally, when we recognize the presence of Jesus and accept Him in our lives, we cannot keep this experience to ourselves. We must share it with the people around us, so they, too, will share the joy that Jesus brings.
Then the Gospel concludes: “They returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew, and became strong, filled with wisdom; and then favor of the Lord was upon him.” This means that although the Messiah has come, the time for the start of His mission has not yet arrived. Jesus has to wait for that proper time according to the Father’s plan. For thirty years, He stays in Nazareth preparing for His mission as Messiah. Thus, He is known as ‘Jesus the Nazorean’.
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