2019 12 30 Reflection 741 (Bro. Nigel Furtado OP on Lk. 2: 36-40)
Like us on facebook at / dominicanministriesgoa write to us: [email protected] Website: www.dominicans.in Our vocation in life is ordained by the providence of God. Dear brothers and sisters, Every age and every state of human life is precious in the sight of God, and is sanctified by his special blessings. Today’s Gospel passage presents us with the account of the elderly prophetess Anna, who devoted herself to prayer and fasting. She had a very strong and special relationship with God, which enabled her to live out her prophetic life. We must note that Israelite society during the Old Testament times was very patriarchal. Widows and orphans, in particular, were in a very vulnerable position, having to fend for themselves with great difficulty. Thus, God reminded the people repeatedly to show concern for widows and orphans. One of the psalms says, “Father of the orphan, defender of the widow – such is God in his holy place.” In the early Christian communities, many widows devoted themselves in a special way to the service of God and the community. St Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:5, “The real widow, left alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.” It was from the religious life of widows, that the practice of consecrated virginity evolved in the Church. The prophetess Anna, then, comes across to us as a strong woman – who used her widowhood constructively, making it an opportunity to grow in holiness, rather than as an obstacle. She could be a good model for all of us, in whatever state of life we find ourselves in, whether married or widowed, whether we be consecrated or lay people, young or old, in whatever social position we are in. The state of life we are in provides us ample opportunities to grow in holiness and to be of service to others. We must not think of our way of life, or our social status as things that hold us back, but rather as genuine vocations, as platforms to serve God and his people. Our vocation in life is ordained by the providence of God, and we must believe that God who called us in his wisdom, will also accomplish the task he began. He will give us the strength, protection and guidance that we need. The Gospel today tells us that Anna came to the Temple at just the right moment when the child Jesus was presented. Yes, God who begins a good work in us will be faithful to bring it to completion. The Gospel concludes with the example of Mary and Joseph returning to their ordinary life at Nazareth. Further, it tells us that in this simple setting, the child Jesus “grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom and God’s favour was with him.” The feast of the Holy Family which we celebrated yesterday gave us the opportunity to reflect on the great vocation of the family. May the example of the prophetess Anna strengthen us in following God’s plans in our lives.
