Breaking the Word

 There was also 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 (Lk 2:36-40)

Anna was a prophetess. She has also spent all her life in the Temple. We know well the status of a woman in the Jewish religion and also in the Temple. Every male Jew would pray and thank God for not creating him a woman. Yet Anna was considered a prophetess and her prophecy is included in the scriptures. Scriptures give importance to her because she was also waiting for the arrival of the Messiah. She was also observant of the laws and spent her time in prayer and fasting.

Her prophecy was to thank God and speak about the child. Yes the prophet or the prophecy should always acknowledge God and his activities in the world and then also acknowledge the presence of God in what is happening in the world at his/her times. Acknowledgement of God’s existence and God’s presence in the world at one’s own time compels one to prophecy.  

The child Jesus grew in age and wisdom as any other child would grow. Jesus had a normal, human growth. He grew in a family, in a village (Nazareth) that is in the context of the society. But his growth was not only human and social but also divine because he found favour with God. It is this that makes the child and his growth an integral growth.

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,  just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.  He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,  he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;  and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Lk 2;22-35)

The parents took the child to the temple according to the Law of Moses. "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," Parents were good observant of the Law of Moses. Not only that, but also they considered him like any other child. They parents knew that this child was different. (They were informed about the child in the dreams). The parents did not seek after specials laws or sideline the laws. They observed them to the details.

The parents were not the only people who were informed about the birth of the child; there were also others and one of them was Simeon. He was a righteous man and he was expecting the arrival of the messiah. Those who were waiting of the coming of the Lord were informed (and that is why Herod was not informed and Herod could not believe even the scriptures) and even the Magi were informed because they were seekers of God.

Those who were expecting the arrival of the Lord found in his birth the fulfillment of the scriptures. Simeon prophesied saying what the child would be and what would happen to the mother because of the birth of the child. Yes those who await the Lord are informed of the mission of the lord  and they also see the fulfillment of the scriptures.