Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to 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 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.
A Woman Who Prophesies
1. Anna’s life story. Becoming a widow at a young age must have been incredibly hard for Anna. She endured judgment, negative labels, and social isolation. Sadly, this is something many people experience: one event or mistake can lead others to label you unfairly or push you aside. I’m reminded of couples who had no choice but to separate, priests who left the ministry because it was no longer right for them, or people who lost prestigious positions and ended up with nothing. Society can be harsh to those who fall outside its expectations, making reintegration very difficult. Anna belongs to that group. A community can be both a source of healing and of pain.
2. A Life of Prayer. After Anna became a widow, she dedicated herself to worship in the temple for the rest of her life, even into old age. Her life was centered on prayer and reflection. Putting God at the heart of your life guides your actions and attitudes toward others. Prayer is what heals and restores us. When facing setbacks or failures, turning inward and reconnecting with God gives you the strength to rise again—what modern psychology calls “resilience.”
3. To be thankful. Anna eventually found her hope in Jesus and expressed her gratitude. As the year draws to a close, it’s our turn to be thankful. Even when life is tough, gratitude helps us see the good that can emerge from hardship and the lessons we learn. Every day, we should thank God for our experiences, our efforts, and the challenges we’ve overcome. We thank Him for holding our hand and showing us His love in countless ways. Don’t let time keep you trapped; today, you can meet the One who brings you life: Jesus, our hope.
Never forget that something good is on the way!
God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
