SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:36-38
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
REFLECTION by the Rev. Mary Hudak
Why is it so hard to talk about Jesus? Is it that when Jesus is revealed in our lives it is so intimate that we don’t know how to talk about him? Could it be that when Jesus reveals himself to us it says something about who we are and we can’t seem to share our deepest selves? Is it a gift so special, we want to keep it sacred — holy – set apart — and only for ourselves?
To trust others with my relationship with Jesus makes me vulnerable. I know this to be true. However, it is in being vulnerable that compassion has a way to grow. If I am not vulnerable, I am stuck in armor that is too heavy, too cumbersome, to restricting to become the person Jesus died for and wants me to become. Vulnerability makes room for redemption, reconciliation, and resurrection, all things I yearn for in my life.
PRAYER
Jesus, help us see Your redemption in our lives. Help us be compassionate to all who have wronged us. And we especially pray, increase in us compassion for ourselves so that we can know the healing love of Your forgiveness. Amen.
BLESSING
May, God bless you with all goodness and make you holy in His sight. May the riches of his glory fill you, the Word of Truth inspire you, and the Spirit of the Gospel lead your life. Amen.