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| The presentation of Jesus in the temple. |
In today's gospel reading from Luke 2: 36-40, Jesus is presented to Simeon in the temple, while Anna watches from the sidelines.
Though both are old, the spotlight is on Simeon. His words echo in our ears, 'Now that I have seen the Savior, I can die in peace.'
Anna is a prophetess - the only one in the New Testament. She is 84 years old. She also was waiting to see the Savior. When she gets a glimpse of him she rushes forward and explains to others the significance of the event.
Anna was married for 7 years before her husband passed on. After that she lived in the temple fasting and praying. She moves beyond grieving to find new purpose in her life.
She reminds me of many elderly widows who spend their lives in temples. In North India some are shunned by society and forced to wear white as in Brindavan, Mathura where I had written a poem.
Anna in the Bible recognizes that great things are to come. She prophesies that the babe is the Messiah. Her patience pays off. She gets to see Jesus in her lifetime.
In her quiet way she witnesses powerfully to those around her. She refuses to be written off.
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