Woman, Elder, Widow - Prophetess

December 30 – Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

1 John 2:12-17 / Psalm 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10 / Luke 2:36-40

Woman, Elder, Widow – Prophetess

Anna has three things working against her, three things that Christ and his Church turn around to her blessing. First, she was elderly, and presumably coming to the end of her hope to see the promised Messiah. Second, as a widow for most of her life she would have been dependent on family for the basics in life. Third, she was a woman in a man’s world. These three characteristics are turned around and become good news for Anna.

First, as an elderly person Anna represents the long-standing hope of Israel for the promised Messiah. Here her age, representing her long wait, might at first evoke the frustration of waiting, but Luke uses Anna’s age as a symbol of the wisdom of waiting, and so she is an example of the Christian virtues of hope and patience.

Second, as a widow, Anna in her society would likely have been either pitied or exploited but not empowered. The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures use widowhood to represent desolation and abandonment. In the Church the care of widows was important and they were given a special place in the community. Widows in turn devoted themselves to prayer. Anna embodies this ideal for Christians.

Third, as a woman of her time, Anna did not have a public voice, but women are featured in Luke’s gospel as faithful disciples having a proper place. Here Anna is placed alongside Simeon (whose canticle was featured yesterday). Much like the shepherds Luke tells us about earlier in the second chapter, Anna responds to Jesus by telling everyone about him, and so Luke calls Anna a prophetess. Only two other times in the New Testament are specific people mentioned as prophets – all of these occurrences are in Luke or Acts. In this passage Anna fulfills the two classic functions of a prophet: she speaks to God on behalf of the people to direct his care to them; and she is speaks to the people on behalf of God, to direct their lives to him.

Anna, the elderly widow, the woman, the prophet, spoke about Jesus to everyone she knew. From her humble position in society she was able to recognize and faithfully proclaim the most important message ever: our hope is realized; the Messiah is here!

• Who among your elders has helped you to live your faith more vibrantly and helped you to recognize Christ more clearly? Is there a woman who has been a light of faith to you? Pray to God in thanksgiving for these people.
• In your life what burdens have been turned into blessings?