Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Luke 2:22–40
It's easy to be drawn to Simeon in this week’s Sunday gospel reading.
He rightly receives due attention. Simeon’s canticle of praise, as he witnesses the Christ Child presented at the temple, expressed his profound gratitude for having lived long enough to behold his Savior. His song of thanksgiving is now recited each evening by Catholics praying the Divine Office. His memorable words to our Blessed Mother are both poignant and prophetic.
But what about Anna?
Only two verses mention her presence in the temple. However, something about Anna compelled Luke to include her here, leading me to wonder: who is Anna, and what about her story is meaningful for us?
What we know: She was a faithful Israelite from the tribe of Asher. Although advanced in age, she spent most of her life as a widow.
She dedicated her days to the temple—worshiping, praying, and fasting to God. Like Simeon, she was also receptive to the Holy Spirit, recognizing her Messiah held in Mary’s arms, coming forward in praise of God for what was a fulfillment of His long-awaited promise. Luke included Anna in his gospel, albeit in all of two verses. Nonetheless, he made her presence known at the Presentation of the Lord; therefore, it is important we take notice and pay attention.
It is reasonable to assume that Anna faced significant hardships and disappointments in her life, having lost not only her husband many years prior but also her livelihood. As a widow with no mention of children or other family members, she would have relied on the charity of others for support. Yet, she set her eyes on God, seeking His charity and support, certain of His provision.
Anna chose to be where God was present, serving, worshiping, and loving Him at the temple. Despite being a widow, she remained a devoted daughter, confident in her identity and steadfast in her faith. Her status, possessions, comfort, and health mattered little compared to her desire to stay close to the Lord. Nothing else, no one else, could satisfy. She clung to God.
Instead of mourning her losses or questioning God’s goodness, Anna focused solely on Him. Assured that He would not abandon her, she did not abandon Him. She spent her days deepening her intimacy with the Lord, praying, fasting, and waiting for His promised salvation. In her poverty, she ministered to God, and in return, He comforted and consoled her widow’s heart.
Presently, I am in a season of waiting with the Lord. Really, I’m waiting on the Lord to answer a specific prayer and bring relief to a very dear loved one. The honest truth is I’ve grown impatient and weary, disheartened that the response I long for hasn’t come.
In these moments of desolation, I’m embarrassed to admit the ease with which I abandon God and forget His place in my heart. I lose sight of His promises and the consolations I’ve experienced; I forget His faithfulness. I let go of Him and cling to myself. Unlike Anna, I minister to myself by mindless social media scrolling, running extra miles, binge-watching seasons of "Project Runway," overindulging in Amazon purchases, and finding any excuse to avoid spending quiet moments with Him in prayer.
Is it any wonder Scripture is filled with the voices of prophets and kings urging us to remember and reflect on the Lord’s goodness? Figures like King David, Moses, and Ezekiel never ceased imploring their people—whether wandering in the desert, exiled in foreign lands, or distracted by surrounding cultures—to not abandon God. They reminded their people to never forget Him or His provisions, remember the wonders He has done, acknowledge the mercy He has offered, and follow His commandments. In other words, cling to God!
Anna gives us a beautiful example of a woman who never forgot, who heeded the words of Scripture, and who paid attention. When her life took unexpected turns, she ran to where she knew she would find God. She ran to Him, not away. She lived with intention, waiting with purpose, clinging to Him.
How is your heart today, my friend? Do you long for the Lord’s comfort and consolation? Is there a prayer you are waiting for Him to answer, a miracle you yearn to see, a wound you wish to be healed?
Let’s follow Anna’s example and go where we feel His presence, wait with Him there, and cling to Him.
If you feel His presence in the liturgy, find a parish with daily Mass and commit to going one extra day this week. If you find calm and peace before the Blessed Sacrament, find adoration times near you and put them in your calendar. If you desire His forgiveness, I assure you He will meet you in the sacrament of Reconciliation; His arms outstretched to you in tenderness and mercy.
Unlike Anna, who stood outside the temple, through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross our bodies are now temples of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are His temple, His chosen tabernacle, and His presence remains within us. Every thought, every action, every task, and every challenge has the potential to be offered as a prayer or sacrifice, covered in His grace. Every moment is now holy, for His presence is with us in every moment. Therefore, we never have to miss an opportunity to cling to Him.
Jesus tells us, “For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds” (Matthew 7:8). The more we seek Him—whether through the sacraments or in the ordinary moments of daily life—the more we will find Him. Like Anna, the more we find Him, the easier it becomes to let go of ourselves and the world and cling with hope to Him. We wait with Him in faith to desire His will over our own and remain confident in His promises and our redemption.
There is something about Anna.
With you on the journey,
Jeannine
Food for thought or journaling…
Can you recall a moment when you received great consolation from the Lord: a promise fulfilled, a prayer answered, His presence intimately felt? What can you learn about the character of God from this consolation?
Almighty God, thank You for (add your consolation). Thank You for reminding me through this that You are (name the character trait of God). Help me to keep this consolation foremost in my heart and mind in times of desolation. Let Your presence in my life be where I run for safety, love, protection, acceptance, mercy, and acknowledgment. May I never forget that You are here with me in every moment. Amen.