30 Dec 25 | Luke 2:36–40
Faithful perseverance recognizes redemption when it arrives and proclaims God’s promise fulfilled.
The Gospel:
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. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Reflection
The role of a prophetess is someone that speaks God’s truth, recognizes His action, and calls others to be faithful. We see others in the Old Testament, Miriam (sister of Moses and Aaron), Deborah (the only woman to hold the title of Judge in the Book of Judges), and Huldah (a woman who was consulted by Kings)! What they have in common is that they are three strong women who exercised positions of declaring God’s action and leadership throughout history. Here we have another in Anna, from the tribe of Asher, who now proclaims to “all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem” that the child was born! She has fulfilled her role as one who speaks God’s truth at a time when two witnesses were needed (Deuteronomy 19:15). Anna, a second “righteous” person confirms and proclaims Jesus’ identity. It is now prophetically confirmed!
Asher is another important piece of information in this passage! It is one of the “lost tribes” at this point in history, dispersed after the Assyrian exile hundreds of years earlier. Asher would have been an obscure, politically insignificant and largely forgotten tribe at this point. Luke mentions Asher not to claim political authority, but to show God is faithful. It ties all the way back to Genesis! Asher is the eighth son of Jacob, born to Zilpah (her second), “Leah’s maidservant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Then Leah said, ‘Happy am I! For women have called me happy.’ So she named him Asher.” Then...it goes on to tell us, “Asher’s food shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies.” Anna is doing this! She is testifying to the realization of Christ the King!
This passage speaks to a trend in both the Old and New Testament about how God works through people. There is not this “high authority” to “prove” who Jesus is. This matters when others deny our Lord or question the Gospels. If someone was looking to establish a definitive message, they probably would have chosen a different tribe, or claimed it from people of authority. That is not the way of God though, right? We routinely see God work through those that could be any one of us. THAT is pretty cool if you ask me. God is great!
Her lifelong prayer and fasting prepared her to recognize Christ immediately. I wonder if we are preparing enough in the current world we live in. I know I am working to spend more time in prayer and focus my heart and intentions more on the Lord. This Gospel reminds all of us that it is through this preparation and reflection that we will be ready - since we do not know the hour or the day.
Reflection Question:
How do you respond when God’s plan challenges your expectations?