Christmas Octave, 30th December
1 John 2:12-17 / Luke 2:36-40
Shun the world's attractions; The world passes; God alone remains
Photographer David Crocket of KOMO-TV, Seattle, was caught at the foot of Mt. St. Helens when it exploded on May 18, 1980. He was nearly buried in the falling ash. Ten hours later he was miraculously spotted, picked up by a helicopter, and rushed to a hospital. After the ordeal Crocket wrote in Guideposts: “During those ten hours I saw a mountain fall apart. I saw a forest disappear. ... I saw that God is the only one who is immovable.... I feel somehow that I'm being allowed to start over ... whatever is in his master plan for me.”
***
Are we more committed to worldly goals than we are to
heavenly goals? “I would like to live a long time. Longevity has its place, but
I am not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will." Martin
Luther King, Jr.
***
The name Anna comes from the Hebrew word Hannah which means
“grace.” Indeed, Anna was a woman full of grace, for she was able to see what
generations had longed for. She spent her remaining years ever since she turned
a widow—possibly 60—in singular devotion and adoration of God. Luke presents
her as a prophetess, almost on par with Simeon. Like Simeon, she gives praise
and thanks to God. She goes around and shares the news about the birth of the
divine child with all those who had been longing for the deliverance of God’s
people.
By bringing Anna onto the scene, Luke wants to present the
universality of salvation brought through the person of Christ. Christ is not
only for the rich and the learned, but for the poor, the widowed, the
shepherds, and everyone else on the margins as well. God is the God of all.
Luke also tells us that the child Jesus returned with his parents to his native
village and lived there among his people. With God’s grace upon him, the Graced
One lived in their midst as one of them.
***
The days between Christmas and New Year can be called the least productive week. It can also be called the holiday week where even though offices and factories are opened, the workers may want to take leave to enjoy the festive time. But more than just a festive time and to take a break from work, it is also a time for reflection and to think about the events that are just over and the events that are to come.
After all, life is more than just having a good time and enjoying whatever pleasures there can be. Or as the 1st reading puts it - "the sensual body, the lustful eye, pride in possessions" - that is only what the world has to offer and can only offer and no more than that. But there is a mystery to life that gives us a hope for the future in which we look forward to.
The prophetess Anna was one who knew what that mystery was and
she looked forward to it and she lived to see it. May we also be like Anna,
spend time in prayer and even fasting, so that we will encounter the mystery of
Christmas and look forward to the mystery of the future.
***
To thank God for the liberation he brings us in and through
his Son, Jesus, is the core of every Eucharistic celebration. There we say:
“Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” With the prophetess Anna, let us
express our thanks for our liberation to the Lord, our God, and praise him
wholeheartedly. Too easily, as St John says, we lose our heart to the world; we
follow its ways of thinking and acting. Let us ask the Lord to forgive us.
***
Prayer
Almighty Father, you let humble, faithful people recognize
your Son and welcome him as the Savior, who brought freedom and life to his
people. May we, too, recognize and welcome Jesus in all that is little and
humble and with him grow up in wisdom and grace to the maturity of your sons
and daughters, so that we attain the full stature of Jesus. We ask this through
him, our Lord. Amen
