The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Today's Mass Readings

I find myself jealous of the Evangelists at times—only four men got to write Christ’s story, inspired by the Holy Spirit. When we consider the differences in the gospels, we consider that they were not just chroniclers of facts but also storytellers. In other words, they used details to bring out greater meaning to readers.

In our liturgy today, we have the second part of Luke’s account of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Typically in this narrative, we think of Simeon taking the Christ Child in his arms and speaking his inspired canticle. Today we meet the prophetess Anna. They both represent faithful Israel who had become a weak remnant but now will have glimpsed the Messiah.

The evangelist may have added some details to Anna’s life in order to make this symbolism clear. She lived seven years with her husband and then as a widow for 84 years. Consider that the 12 tribes were united under King David, whose name in Hebrew numerics equal 14 (two sevens). And the Northern Kingdom broke off the “marriage covenant” and mixed with the pagan peoples and their gods for almost ninety years before they were conquered. Yet, Anna through all this strife remained in the Temple ever devoted to prayer.                 

Now at Christ’s Presentation in the Temple, she goes further in this symbolism. Israel was not just called to be God’s Chosen People, they had the vocation to then be a Light to the Nations. Conquered, subjugated, and downtrodden, Judah became very insular and did not seek to attract other peoples to the true God. Anna proclaims to the people expectant of a messiah that this little Child is the hope of faithful Israel and of all nations. 

I get jealous of the Evangelists, but I also get to put the gospel in terms that (hopefully!) people can receive today. Furthermore, my life must attract people to this one story. My storytelling is less important than the one story that is not a dead letter but a living and effective Word that saves us still. How many need to hear the good news afresh, and if not from you and me, then from whom?

Reflection by Fr. Pachomius Meade, OSB