TODAY’S WORD

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

1 John: 2:15-16 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. For all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world."

TODAY’S REFLECTION

This is a period of evaluation on how we live in the passing year and how we can improve in the coming year. It is a period of stocktaking. Unfortunately, for many of us, this stocktaking has to do with our material gains and losses. We think less of how close we are to God or how far we are from God. 

In the first reading St John encourages us today not to allow the love of the things of this passing world to deny us of the joy of being with the Lord. 

In the gospel, the 84 year old Anna is called a prophetess, although there were no recorded prophecies from her.  But at her age and having gone through quite a bit in life, she would have enough wisdom to share with those who seek her counsel.  And with her life of prayer and fasting and service to God, her wisdom would certainly be inspired by God.  She came by just at that moment and she spoke of the Child to all who looked forward to God's promise of salvation.   For Mary and Joseph, it was another affirmation of who the Child Jesus really is.  

As for us, let us listen humbly to the voice of God from the seniors in our midst.  They will tell us what life is about and they will also tell us how God wants us to live our lives.

As this year draws to its end tomorrow, may the joy of the Lord strengthen you and enable you not to be deceived by the things of this passing world, through Christ our Lord. 

LESSONS FROM ANNA

Anna reminds us that there are many ways of serving God, and one of the most important ways of serving God is by our prayer. To pray is to serve God; it is to give ourselves to God. Such service of God will empower us, as it empowered Anna, to be witnesses to God’s presence and activity to all who are still longing for God’s coming.

HAVE A GLORIOUS DAY. MAY WE LIKE ANNA PRACTICE A LIFE OF PURITY, BY PRAYING CONSTANTLY, BY PERSEVERING PATIENTLY, BY PROCLAIMING BOLDLY.