THE WISDOM OF ANNA
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
My dear encountered couples:
Is it possible that there are things that can happen to us in church that we would miss out on if we don’t come to Church as often as we do? Uplifting thoughts and inspirations that might come into our minds, understandings of things hidden from human view, sights or visions into the world of the spiritual?
Our gospel speaks of a prophetess named Anna who was in the temple when Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus there to present him to the Lord. “She was constantly coming to the temple,” we are told, “worshiping day and night in fasting and prayer. Coming on the scene at the moment, she gave thanks to God and talked about the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.”
People of the world like to keep up on the latest events. They keep in touch with CNN, C-span, tune in every day to “All Things Considered” on public radio, and read as many newspapers as they can find time for. But unless they pray, unless they take time out for quiet thought and meditation in the presence of Jesus Christ, there are many, much more important things they will miss out on.
Because you come to church often, because you are careful not to miss your daily prayers, because you give much thought and attention to matters that pertain to God, there are many things you know and understand that are much more important and worth-while than the passing news of the world.
During the coming new year, keep up as well as you can your practice of weekday Masses and private times with Jesus and Mary. It will not only pay off in the future, it is filling you in the present with the knowledge and wisdom and strength of God that you need to live your life well in this world. And there is nothing more important than that.
