Anna the Prophetess and the Holy Infant

Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

- Luke 2:36-38

In yesterday's reading, we read about Simeon's Song or Canticle, called the Nunc Dimittis after its first words in Latin. Simeon was an elderly man who had spent his life awaiting the Deliverer or the "Consolation of Israel" and it had been prophesied to him that this would happen before he died. In the presentation of Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem, Simeon's promised vision comes true - he beholds the Holy Child. It was then that he uttered his famous Canticle of faith, which is still used today in the Church.

In today's reading, we get yet another part of what occurs in the time of Jesus' presentation in the temple. After Simeon views the child, and begins his canticle, a woman named Anna comes into the temple. Anna is kind of a special figure, one who is intriguing and at the same time she is also in some poetic way a person to think of on this first day of the new year.

We are told that Anna is a prophetess. She is also the daughter of Phanuel (which notably means "Face of God") and of the tribe of Asher. It's kind of interesting to note the names of Simeon and Asher. Both were the names of tribes to whom land was distributed by Joshua. Lots were drawn, and the tribe of Simeon received land which was shared with them by Judah. The tribe of Asher received land in Western Galilee. So we have the tribes that pull together symbolically north and south Israel, and the areas in which Jesus will preach in his lifetime. More significantly, included in those who await this Child and the fulfillment of prophecy, the good news and the Consolation of Israel, are both men and women. Both of these elderly people are filled with the Spirit, both of them are connected to the gift of prophecy.

Simeon has waited for this moment during his long life. Anna, we are told, is eighty-four years old. She lived with her husband seven years, but has been a widow ever since. We are told that she spent her days in the temple, never leaving, but serving God with prayers and fasting night and day. So Anna has devoted her long widowhood to serving God. My study bible has a note that reads as follows: "God reveals Himself to those who do not depart from Him. This woman has served God for many years, and she is prepared to meet her Messiah. For the elderly and lonely who wonder what they can do to serve God, Anna's fastings and prayers are a wonderful example." I feel that the devotion to God in sincerity of heart and in giving one's time is a commitment of great strength. We recall that which Jesus pronounced the first and greatest commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." Anna clearly follows this commandment, and she is graced with the gift of prophecy - and the good news of the Child she sees with Simeon and Mary and Joseph in the temple. She is an example of wisdom gained through aged life spent well, despite her hardships. Anna will go out and proclaim the good news of the Child to "all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem" just as others will later proclaim news of the healings and ministry of Jesus - and in the last chapter of Luke's gospel, it will be women who are the first to proclaim Christ's Resurrection (see Luke 24:9).

So today we begin the first day of the new year with an appropriate image of the elderly in the temple, Simeon and Anna, who have spent their long lives serving God and awaiting the redemption of Israel. The birth of this small Child, the infant Jesus, is the accompanying image for the start of our year, and the beginning of the change of time in a spiritual or theological sense. The Good News is still with us, and the great gifts of the Holy Spirit, we trust, rest upon all "who do not depart from Him." May your year for 2010 be graced with faith and the gifts of the Spirit, and blessed with deepening devotion and growth in its depth. The wisdom and vision (or "eyes that see and ears that hear") of Simeon and Anna serve as great examples of graceful age, and wise investment in the things that do not perish, that neither moth nor rust can consume, and thieves cannot break in and steal. We recall Jesus' words in The Beatitudes, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."