Luke 2:36-40

Luke 2:36-40

There was 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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, fill me with your Spirit so that I may testify to your love and the love of your Son in this world. I am a prophet by my baptism, and only with your grace can I live out my prophetic vocation.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Anna and Israel: In his narrative about Jesus’ presentation in the Temple, Luke introduces us to the figure of Anna. He calls her a prophetess and indicates that she descends from the tribe of Asher. Asher was one of the ten northern tribes of Israel that were exiled by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. Luke tells us a little about Anna’s life. We can assume she was married around 14 and lived with her husband for 7 years. She lost her husband when she was 21 and lived for either 63 or 84 years as a widow. This is a symbol of the history of Israel. The fourteen years of virginity represent the history of Israel until the Kingdom of David. The 7 years of marriage represent the Kingdom of David. The 63 or 84 years of widowhood represent the time of exile. With the coming of Jesus Christ, the widowhood of Israel is over. As Isaiah said: “The reproach of your widowhood no longer remember. For your husband is your Maker; the Lord of hosts is his name, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 54:4-5). Anna, like Israel, was dwelling, worshipping, fasting, praying, and waiting in the Temple of Jerusalem. When she encountered her Lord in the Christ-child, she recognized him as her Redeemer Bridegroom.

2. The Redemption of Jerusalem: Anna’s mention of the “redemption of Jerusalem” refers to the long-awaited deliverance, rescue, and spiritual restoration of God’s people from oppression and sin. There were promises of redemption in the prophet Isaiah and other prophets about God rescuing his people. Anna and others were waiting for the Messiah who would bring about this redemption and consolation (comfort) to Israel. Redemption (lutrosis) implies being bought back or liberated through a costly payment. We contemplate this payment by Jesus on the cross. While centered on Israel, this redemption from sin and death ultimately extends to all people. This is highlighted in Simeon’s prophecy about Jesus being a light for the Gentiles, too. 

3. Growing in Strength, Wisdom, and Grace: When the Holy Family of Mary, Jesus, and Jesus “had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord,” they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. This is significant because the land of Galilee was associated with the lost tribes of Naphtali, Asher, Issachar, and Zebulun (Joshua 19). By speaking about Anna 
“from the tribe of Asher,” Luke is hinting at how Jesus will gather the lost tribes into the Kingdom he is inaugurating and establishing. The final line in today’s Gospel also reveals to us that Jesus was true God and true man. Luke speaks about Jesus growing in strength, wisdom, and grace. The eternal Son of God really and truly assumed our human nature, with all of its limitations. Jesus experienced what we experience. His human intellect and knowledge were limited and needed to develop over time. This is part of the mystery of Nazareth. The thirty years were spent “growing in strength, wisdom, and grace.” And we do well to model our lives on the hidden life of Nazareth.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the faithful and merciful High Priest, who intercedes for me at the Father’s right hand. As the Word of God, you are the Prophet who is greater than Moses. You are the King, who reigns forever at the right hand of the Father.

Living the Word of God: How have I been growing in strength, judging things with divine wisdom, and sanctified by divine grace? Can I, like the prophetess Anna, proclaim the great work of Christ’s Redemption to those around me?