Word to the Wise
Monday, December 30, 2013 - Dec. 30 - 6th Day in the Octave of Christmas
[1 John 2:12-17 and Luke 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 I was a boy, I heard the story of Sister [now Saint] Francis Xavier Cabrini visiting New Orleans in the late 19th century and meeting the boy, Charles Greco. She looked at him and told his parents that one day he would be a bishop! It happened! He became the Bishop of Alexandria, LA, the diocese in which I grew up, and confirmed me! The prophetess, Anna, makes a prediction that is much bigger in scope and perhaps not completely consoling to Jesus' parents. They had already heard big things from Simeon!
Both Simeon and Anna represent Luke's agenda in writing his gospel. Simeon speaks to the universal character of Jesus' mission [and ours] when he speaks to "a light to reveal you to the nations." Anna speaks more closely to home and to the temple. Together they create in one poignant scene the future of Jesus! They are those who have waited for so long and now they can touch, see, hear their hopes made flesh in the person of this child in the arms of Mary and Joseph! This particular story ends with the family returning to Nazareth, but there is more to come! We are told now only: "The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him." He would also be the reason Charles Paquale Greco would enter the seminary and eventually become Bishop of Alexandria! AMEN