Saturday of the Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas (December 30, 2017): A Child and Wonder

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 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.

Good News Reflection:

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come like Anna today to live the one thing necessary in my life: my relationship with you. I believe that you are faithful to your promises. I believe that you will triumph over sin and death. I love you, Lord.

Petition:Lord, help me to see how I can better witness to you.

1. She Worshipped. We all have something we worship. Wisdom teaches us whom we should truly worship: God alone. God deserves our full hearts, because he is the one who is our true Father. In worship we rediscover our greatest treasure, as did the Prodigal Son: “I will return to my Father’s house.” In worship we return to that place where we are most deeply welcomed and cared for, to that place where we discover our true friend, where we become more deeply our true selves. Worship also opens us to receive God’s graces. It helps us appreciate the gifts that God wants to give us.

2. She Spoke About the Child to All. Prayer and worship here on earth do not end only in going to church. They allow us to discover the good news about God’s love so that we can also share this good news with others. Prayer that does not lead us to evangelize is self-deception. Our Holy Father shows us this intimate connection between prayer and evangelization. In this special Year of the Eucharist he invites us to give to others what we have discovered in being close to Christ. He challenges us to bring others to Christ. Am I living this contemplative and conquering spirit?

3. The Child Grew and Became Strong, and the Favor of God Was Upon Him. Christmas is a message of hope. God is quietly preparing the future. A child and a young person are a reminder that God does not give up on the world, that he can find new ways in each generation of bringing his salvation to all mankind. Am I living in an attitude of spiritual youth, trying always to learn what God wants to teach me each day, striving to form those virtues that will make me a better instrument of God’s grace? As one who follows Christ I should have confidence that God’s favor also rests on me; that he looks at my humble, often hidden efforts with great love; that in spite of my weakness he is helping others to see the good news that he is present and active in their lives.

Dialogue with Christ: Lord, I thank you for your presence and care. You have made me in your image, and in the presence of your Son I discover the depths of your love. Help me to grow in wonder at your love today, and help me to bring your good news to others.

Resolution: Today I will spend a quiet moment before the child Jesus, and thank him for his presence here among us. I will also strive in a particular way to be cheerful and friendly to everyone I deal with.

Fr. Marcial Maciel, LC

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