Do not love the world or the things of the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world,
sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life,
is not from the Father but is from the world.
We need to remember that such things, even very good created things, are paying. How much do we depend on them for hope and happiness? They will ultimately fail to satisfy.
Yet the world and its enticement are passing away.
But whoever does the will of God remains forever.
This is what the prophetess Anna knows. This is how she can still be ready even when she is advanced in years, even when the conventual modes for finding happiness fail her.
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.
Probably, we must occasionally leave the temple. But our spirits must still be free enough to come forward at the very time we are called. We are offered Christ. May nothing hinder us fro,m receiving him.
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.
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