Seeing What's in Front of Us

Dec. 30: The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

We sometimes don’t see the blessing right in front of us. Not Anna the Prophetess. In today’s Gospel, she sees baby Jesus, and immediately recognizes the King of Kings. She becomes the first person to spread the good news, before even John the Baptist (who was still a baby at the time). She’s offers a model of faith that still helps us all.

Reading 1

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.

This reading was a little confusing, until I discovered John isn’t talking about literal fathers and sons. It’s actually just his way of talking about the original disciples, who personally knew Jesus, the faithful who learned second hand, and the recent converts. Basically, we’re the “children” of the ancient Christians.

His advice remains applicable today. We have to focus on God and heaven, rather than the things of this world. The only things that will last are our souls, which is why we must follow God’s Will—to love Him and one another.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10

R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts;
worship the LORD in holy attire.
Tremble before him, all the earth.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Everything belongs to God. Even when we appreciate the beauty of nature or works of art created by humans, we can look past to see the source—God. So all praise should be given to Him ultimately.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
Today a great light has come upon the earth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

In ancient times, the birth of a new king was cause for celebration across the nation. Jesus is the king of the world, and so the whole world should celebrate.

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.

Not much is known about the prophetess Anna outside these few verses, but tradition tells us she also taught Mary about prayer and devotion when she was little.

Today, we all know the little old ladies at church, who seem to always be around, helping take care of things and being friendly with everyone. The parish couldn’t run without them, and they rarely get thanked or even noticed. Anna seems to be like that, in the extreme, never even leaving the temple. Once she met Jesus, she became one of His first prophets. She told everyone about Him, even before He had actually done anything.

So, next time you go to mass and see an usher or sacristan getting everything set so you and everyone else can focus on the Holy Sacrifice itself, take a second to thank them. Maybe even say an extra prayer to St. Anna to bless them.