Thoughts for the Day

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Yesterday we looked at Simeon who greeted the baby Jesus and prophesied that He was the Messiah. However also in the Temple was Anna who in the New Revised edition of the Bible is called a 'Prophet'. She is one of only a few women granted this title in our Bible, along with Miriam the sister of Moses who was called a Prophet, and Deborah a Prophetess and a Judge. The name Anna means 'favour' or 'grace'.

We are told that she has been a widow for very many years. She has endured a life of loneliness, but also of perseverance and hope, fasting regularly, and worshipping day and night in the Temple. Her prophetic credentials are clear for she immediately recognises who the baby is, and begins to praise God. Through her, we gain a real understanding of what faith is all about, as well as anticipation in waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled. This account also highlights the fulfilment of God’s promise through Jesus, emphasizing that he is not only a child of Mary and Joseph but a central figure in God’s plan to save His people. Anna’s witness reminds us that God often works through ordinary, humble people to bring about extraordinary events.

Anna’s commitment and faith should serve as an inspiration for each of us. We can see that faith should be an active process, made up of worship, prayer, and waiting on God’s timing. No matter our age whether that 9 or 90 years, perhaps we can learn to spend next year copying Anna's rule for life - worship God more often, talk to God more often, and wait on Him - listening for His solutions!

Lord God,
we thank You for the Prophet, Anna -
for her amazing insight and complete faith
that You had sent the promised Messiah
to reconcile Your people to Yourself.
May we too have faith that all that happens,
in our life and in our world, is in Your hands.
Help us to learn to fully trust your promises,
and to pass on the Good News to others.
Amen.