6th day in the Christmas Octave – 1 John 2:12-17; Ps 95:7-10; Luke 2:36-40
She came by just at that moment and began to praise God, and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
For many years she served God through prayer and service in the temple. She was a widow, and her heart was set on the Lord. In moments of loneliness and waiting for the coming of the Messiah, she didn’t lose faith. When she saw the Baby Jesus, she praised God and spoke about Him to everyone who was waiting for redemption. Modern people lack the silence to remain focused in prayer, lack the patience to wait for God’s answer. Anna shows us how valuable entrusting prayer, patience and waiting for the fulfilment of God’s promises are. How great the fruits it can bear are.
God listens to our prayers, hears each one, although He doesn’t answer them immediately. Sometimes it may seem to us that God is silent and that we are not receiving what we asked for. God knows what is best for us and sometimes He may say no to us or give us much more or in a different way, or answer us in the distant future. It is worth looking at Anna’s trust and patience and trying to imitate her.
Holy Spirit, illuminate my mind and my heart that I will always turn away from what is fleeting vanity, but toward what is eternal. Even if it will be only a transitory delight in the beauty created by God in the world . . .