TODAY’S READINGS

The first reading is from 1 Jn 2:12-17. We continue reading John’s first letter where he addresses messages to specific groups.

[T]he world and its enticement are passing away.
But whoever does the will of God remains forever. (v. 17)

“On the one hand, ‘the world and its enticement are passing away.’ The fallen world with its enticements to sin will not endure, and when Jesus returns, the ‘world’ in this sense will definitively pass away. Paul says the same: ‘the world in its present form is passing away’ (1 Cor 7:31). On the other hand, ‘whoever does the will of God remains forever.’ the one who keeps the commandments of God and walk in the light hes eternal life. John’s point is plain: if we choose to love the world and its ways, we are loving something deceitful that will pass away; if we choose to love the Father and do his will, we will enjoy everlasting life with him.” (James, First, Second, and Third John [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture], 165)

“‘The term ‘world’ has a number of meanings in Sacred Scripture. Here it has the pejorative sense of enemy of God and man, and includes everything that is opposed to God — the kingdom of sin. Following Christ involves a radical choice: ‘No one can serve two masters’ (Mt 6:24; ‘friendship with the world is enmity with God’ (Jas 4:4).”” (The Navarre Bible: Catholic Epistles, 171)

What leaps to mind is the old adage “you can’t take it with you.” What we can take are our sins and ungodly attachments. So, another slogan comes to mind: “you can pay me now or pay me later.” Best if we detach and refocus now on what matters (and all that ultimately matters is love of God and love of neighbor).

We continue with Luke (2:36-40) in today’s Gospel, here highlighting Anna, the prophetess, who was in the Temple at the same time as Simeon when the Holy Family arrived.

[Anna] was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. (vv. 36b-37a)

“Her name Anna (Hannah in Hebrew) recalls Hannah the mother of Samuel…[The excerpt above] suggests that if Mary represents Israel as virgin, Anna represents Israel primarily as widow (‘eighty-four’ equals twelve times seven– i.e., the number of Israel’s tribes times the number of perfection). Isaiah’s prophecy is being fulfilled: ‘The reproach of your widowhood no longer remember. / For your husband is your Maker; / the Lord of hosts is his name, / Your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel’ (Isa 54:4-5; see 62:4-5, 12). Isaiah is portraying the Lord God as Israel’s bridegroom redeemer — that is, the kinsman who redeems a childless widow by marrying her (see Ruth 4;5-6, 14).” (The Gospel of Luke [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture], 72)

Talk about someone who is detached and focused. Anna devotes her whole life to the Lord and has the keen insight, aided by grace (and Simeon, no doubt), to recognize Him when He comes. Imagine her joy! She must not have stopped speaking of this day for the rest of her days, which I suspect, like Simeon’s, were short. This woman, probably looked on as a bit more than a little eccentric until this day, maybe gained some new found respect. Or not. Nevertheless, a lifetime of prayer, penance, and fasting, yielded the greatest reward for her at the end of this life, and undoubtedly upon this babe’s ultimate Resurrection.

God bless.

The Prophetess Anna Greets the Christ Child (2023 photo) by Lester Yocum