REFLECTIONS TODAY
Luke loves to present his characters in pairs by way of complementarity and contrast. He contrasts Zechariah and Mary in their response to the message of the angel Gabriel. He pairs Simeon and Anna as both aged ang prophesying. During the presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple, Simeon sees Jesus as the fulfillment of his desire to see the salvation of the Lord before he dies. Anna, in turn, speaks about the Child to all who are awaiting the redemption of Israel.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus speaks of the privileges of the disciples who hear and see him as he preaches the Kingdom of God: “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it” (10:23-24). Simeon and Anna, as well as Zechariah and Elizabeth, belong to the righteous ones who longed for the fulfillment of God’s promises that go back to Abraham (to rescue his people from their enemies) and to David (the promise of a descendant whose kingdom will have no end). These hopes would then be concentrated on the Messiah, expected by the Jews to restore the glory of the Davidic kingdom.
Now, beholding the Child, inspired by the Holy Spirit, these aged figures speak for those waiting for the “redemption of Jerusalem,” that is, for salvation of the whole humanity, of Jews and Gentiles alike. Thus, in Jesus the dream of God to gather all peoples on his holy mountain is coming to pass.
First Reading • 1 Jn 2:12-17
I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the Evil One.
I write to you, children, because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the Evil One.
Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Gospel • Lk 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.
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.