She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
Anna was an example of one who did "not love the world or the things of the world", and was filled, as a consequence with the love of the Father. Rather than "sensual lust" she fasted. Rather the "enticement for the eyes" she opened the eyes of her heart in prayer. Rather than a pretentious life of worldly recognition she never left the temple. Although she was a widow she recognized the one who would call himself "the bridegroom", even when he was still an inconspicuous infant. Having a heart given over to God she was able to recognize God's action. Looking to him for fulfillment, just as Simeon did, she was able to experience it when it came.
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.
All around the recently born child new and wonderous things were happening. Around him prophetic voices, once long silent, began to speak, sending out ripples of hope into the world. His relatives could not help but wonder what this child would become.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
The child grew ever more fully into the fulfillment of the desire of those who awaited and welcomed his birth, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, and others. Others in the world missed out entirely because they loved the things of the world so much as to be blind to spiritual things. But note the great reversal in play. Those things of the world, the ones that would seem to be the source of power, solidity, and permanence, were precisely the things that were passing away. The little child was the one that would remain forever. So too, we know, for all who are united to him. When we are united to Jesus what was true of him becomes true of us as well. His strength, wisdom, and favor fills us and we can believe John when he tells us that he is writing to remind us that we "have conquered the Evil One", "know the Father", and "know him who is from the beginning".
Let's turn away from a disordered attachment to the world and look instead to what Anna and Simeon found in Jesus, learning to believe John when he reminds us about the promises we have received in him.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
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