The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Today’s Gospel reading is from Luke. It tells us about a prophetess named Anna, who has spent her later years in the Temple. Anna recognizes who Jesus is immediately, even though he’s just a baby. Anna’s recognition of Jesus as the “redemption of Jerusalem” comes right after another person, a man named Simeon, sees Jesus and prays to God saying, “My eyes have seen your salvation.”
Anna and Simeon don’t get much attention but the Gospel writer included them because they are very important. They embody the anticipation of Israel, the chosen people of God who waited centuries for the Messiah. Anna and Simeon are faithful people who remained open to the revelation of God. Their openness allowed them to see the salvation of God in a tiny little baby.
In Anna and Simeon, we see the continuation of the faith demonstrated by Mary and Joseph. All four are people of immense faith who boldly proclaim a radical thing: God has taken flesh in Jesus. Mary’s faith strengthens her to endure the stigmatization of being an unwed mother. Joseph’s faith strengthens him to raise a child that is not biologically his. Anna and Simeon stand in the midst of a community steeped in thousands of years of tradition to announce God’s saving action in a new and surprising way. All four faced serious social repercussions, and maybe even death, for their faith and commitment to the Incarnation.
It is not likely that we will face the same challenges as the figures we find in the early chapters of Luke. What they remind us, however, is that the Good News of Jesus Christ is always a challenge to the world in which we live. Our faith is not just an internal deposit that we turn to when things become personally difficult. Faith in Christ means entering into stories and lives that may bring about our own personal discomfort. This entrance is only possible through faith in Christ who strengthens us. May we be as bold as Anna in proclaiming the good news of the Incarnation as we continue our Christmas celebrations.
- Katherine Schmidt