“That vey same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.” (Lk 2:38)

“That vey same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.” (Lk 2:38)

Today’s Passage: Lk 2:36-40

Meditation: Today’s meditation verse is really interesting to reflect upon. A poor old widow prophetess speaks about Jesus, the savior. In the gospel of we find two other times where the widows are mentioned; e.g., Jesus raises a widow’s son (7:11-17), the parable of the widow and the unjust judge (18:1-8), and the widow’s offering (21:1-4). The evangelist Luke seems to present Jesus as the one who opts for the poor and the marginalized.

In the infancy narratives of Luke (cc 1and 2), we find several identifying and acknowledging Jesus as the long awaited savior of the world. E.g., Zachariah, (1:76), Simeon, (2:29-32), and finally, widow prophetess Anna (2:38) are among them. All of them are quite old people too. How do these poor old people able to know that Jesus is son of God and savior of the world? (This appears contrary to the wise men or magi from the East of Mathew’s gospel)

If we observe these people closely, we come to know that, though they were pretty old, they were waiting for the messiah in prayer and fasting. Together with Jesus, let us also thank God the father today, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and the learned. Yes, Father, this was how you wanted it to happen.” (Mt 11:26)

Therefore, it is quite sure that the wisdom of God is handed over or revealed to those who are waiting patiently and expectantly for God, and trusting in his promises. They are the poor and pure in spirit and heart and they will surely see God (Mt 5:3, 8). So, it is neither our old age, nor our inability to understand things that blocks divine wisdom, rather it is our reluctance to wait for the Lord patiently in prayer and fasting. The Psalmist says, “The revelation of your words sheds light, gives understanding to the simple.” (Ps 119:130)

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread and especially for this season of Christmas. This is an occasion for us to give witness to you before our brethren. Without knowing you, how can we give genuine witness to you? Even your emptying through the incarnation doesn’t make us humble and poor in Spirit. Have mercy on us! Give us, O Lord, your Spirit that we may understand you better on our knees. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Have a nice and blissful Tuesday…