In this presentation story following the reception of the Christ Child by Simeon, we meet Anna who also receives the Child and proclaims him to the world. It is argued by some the Simeon and Anna are prophets of the Old Testament representing all of the Jewish people of the Old Covenant waiting for the redeemer. With the reception of the Christ Child, they are accepting and recognizing the Savior and proclaiming him to the world.
Women often enjoy holding babies and seeing the hope and possibility that could come from the child, recognizing the child as a gift from God. Here Anna does not do this. She recognizes not the gift from God, but God himself. How much more the potential this Child in her arms! The One who has been long awaited. How could she not be excited? As one who as received Christ she, like Simeon, cannot but share Him with the world. Isn't it similar to what we are called to do when we receive Christ within the Eucharist? Anna is a Hebrew word that means 'grace'. How fitting then that she is given the grace of God to be his messenger to proclaim Him, to recognize Him, to receive Him, and to love Him?
And the Holy Family? They fulfill the prescriptions of the Law and return home where the child grows in wisdom and strength with "the Lord's favor upon him." It is Jesus' time for quiet growth before the Lord calls him to his vocation. We are each called to a vocation. We see one of Anna's vocations within today's reading. We hear that Joseph and Mary were called to obedience in the Law. What are you being called forth to do today that will grow God's kingdom within and around you?
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