30-Dec-15

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.
Reflection:
Anna, the prophetess, "never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer."
Like Anna, much of our life is spent praying and waiting.
During Advent, we pray and wait for the coming of the Lord.
During Lent, we pray and wait for the resurrection of Jesus.
Sitting at the bedside of a loved one, we pray and wait for their recovery, or their passing.
To "wait for the Lord" is an affirmation of our faith, and prayer is the fuel that enables us to continue to hope when all seems lost.
Prayer and patience are what sustain us, both in times of anticipation and in times of fear.
".....but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31