It is a beautiful thing to watch what happens when a baby is brought into a group of people in their eighties. Everybody’s face lights up. All attention is on the child in a sweet and delightful way. The child responds with smiles, sounds, and a look of sunshine. Questions are asked about the baby’s name and age, his parents, and if he has brothers or sisters. Comments are made about who the child looks like and what kind of man or woman he or she will become. That scene is part of how I picture Anna and Simeon as Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple.
It is the Feast of the Presentation. As our scripture tells us today, this is the Church’s celebration of when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple in order to fulfill Jewish law’s requirements that an offering be made for each male child who “opened the womb”—who was the first born.
We had almost this same Gospel during the week after Christmas when it was my turn to write for A Catholic Moment. That day I focused on the Incarnation and Simeon’s prophecy. Today I want to talk about Anna.
Today’s reading says, “There was also 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.”
Let’s consider Anna. I believe she is a wonderful model for those of us in the latter years of life. She is also a model for those in the younger years to seek as a resource.
Anna was a prophetess who literally lived in the temple. She likely became a widow when she was in her 20s. She may or may not have had children when she was married, but, within Jewish culture at the time, she would not have been living in the temple if she had had family to take care of her.
When she was in need, Anna went to God and God’s house. In a practical way, God became her husband. He cared for her. She cared for Him, for His house, and for His people who came to see Him there.
Today’s scripture tells us some of what Anna did. “She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.”
Study tells me that there are five prophetesses mentioned in the New Testament. Anna is the only one mentioned by name. In Acts it is mentioned that Philip had four daughters who were prophetesses. Five other women are mentioned as prophetesses in the Old Testament: Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Noadiah, and Isaiah’s wife. Other women act as prophetesses, but they are not named prophetess: Rachel, Hannah, and Abigail in the Hebrew Scriptures, and Elizabeth and the Blessed Virgin in the New Testament.
A prophetess was a female prophet. She received revelation from God and spoke for Him, just as her male counterparts did. In Church lingo, she was a mystic: one who talked with God and God talked back, one who prayed deeply and often.
Considering she likely had to beg for food or other material needs, fasting was likely both a practical and a serious spiritual choice. As a woman, she could not offer sacrifice except the sacrifice of herself. Serious fasting was not a common practice in Jesus’ day, but Anna would not have been alone in doing it. Those who earnestly sought the Messiah often lived ascetical lives.
Anna would have spent her time in three courts where women were allowed. She could observe the sacrifices, but she could not participate in them. Nonetheless, scripture tells us she prayed day and night.
When I use imaginative prayer for this scripture, I imagine Anna sweeping the temple courtyard and watering flowers. I see her praying in the Courtyard of Women and exchanging conversation with others who frequented the temple area. I see her as a hostess for God’s house, serving needs of God and pilgrims. She was the first century equivalent one of those “little old ladies” who seem to live at church.
I see her admiring all the babies who are brought to the temple. Her face was filled with joy at the life and hope in each one of them. But, as a prophetess, she recognized that Jesus was a special baby. He was the Messiah. “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.”
There is much meat in that sentence.
Imagine the scene. Imagine you are Mary or Joseph. This ancient man Simeon with a feel of God on him has just come up to you and prophesied of the future greatness of your child—and that “a sword will pierce your heart.” If I were Mary, that would be a statement that would give me pause. What did that mean?
But immediately Anna follows. God sent her to “come forward at that very time.” She was in a position to be a reassuring, comforting presence. What did she do? She “gave thanks to God.” She praised. She saw the goodness and expressed it.
Anna was one of those people who knows what to say in difficult circumstances. She came forward to say it.
And then Anna “spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” In terms of New Testament narrative, Anna was the first named Christian evangelist. She was the first woman to spread the Good News! Moreover, she spread the Good News without having to see any of Jesus miracles or hear Him teach. She spread the Good News from sheer faith.
Anna could have seen herself abandoned by God. She did not. Instead she went to the temple and made her home there. She lived a less than comfortable life, but she found joy in it.
And God let her see the child Jesus and proclaim him. God let her serve and soothe the Holy Family.
Anna made a difficult status in life into a great blessing for herself, for others, and for the Kingdom of God. She proclaimed “the king of glory.” She took the light of Christ and gave it back to Him, to Mary and Joseph, to all she talked to about the child–and today, to me.
How can you be Anna? How can I be Anna?
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for Anna! Thank you for all the Annas you have sent into my life: people who live holy lives and come to me just when I need a dose of warmth and caring, people who praise God and tell me about Jesus. Make me an Anna today. Indeed, as I move into my latter years, let me have Anna as a model. Let me fast, pray, live in Your House, come forward at just the right time, give comfort by reminding people to praise God, and tell all about Jesus.
Amen.
