Daily Catholic Lectio
Saturday, 30 December 2023
Sixth Day in the Christmas Octave
1 John 2:12-17. Luke 2:36-40
Anna
Luke records that Anna follows Simeon in the presentation narrative. From the literary point of view, Luke employs gender pairing in his narrative, e.g., Zechariah-Mary, Simeon-Anna, Simon the Cyrene and weeping women. Luke gives the following details about Anna: (a) From the tribe of Asher; (b) Daughter of Phanuel; (c) Widow; (d) Prophetess; (e) Advanced in years; (f) Lived seven years with her husband; (g) Aged eighty-four. Further, she remained in the temple and worshipped God night and day with fasting and prayer.
Anna’s three actions are worth imitating: (a) She comes forward. (b) She thanks God. (c) She speaks about the child.
Simeon spoke about the child to his parents, while Anna spoke to others. Anna could not contain the treasure within. Anna teaches us that God-experience must be expressed in words.
Further, Anna invites us to play a Master game in life. Though she was a widow by circumstance, she made it to become a prophetess in the temple.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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