December 30 (Year C)

I Jn 2: 12-17; Ps 96:7-8, 8b-9, 10.

Lk 2: 36-40.

Theme: Do You have hope in the love of God?

 

1st reading instruct us: “Do not love the world or things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Gospel point at the Prophetess, Anna: “she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.”

Today’s liturgy has lessons to teach:

Challenges/ Difficulties: Anna lived with her husband for 7 years only. Then she becomes window. What are your Challenges?

Her hope in God: an interesting thing is that even being in trouble, she never blame God, never grown bitter and insecure. She never lose hope in God. She wait like other people for the messiah. She never lose hope in messiah.

Share Joy with others: As soon as she sees the messiah, she gives thanks to God and speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. She finds the joy in the Messiah. Are sharing same joy with the people whom you meet.

Worship God: finally she was connected to God by means of Prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting becomes the tool to face any kings of trouble and insecurity and bitterness.

Power of Prayer

Once a ship was wrecked at the sea due to storm and only out of all crew two men were able to swim themselves to a small deserted island. After both reached island, they did not know what to do and both talked and they reached on conclusion that there is nothing they can do except to pray to God and wait for rescue. However, they both decided to divide territory between both of them and stay at opposite side of it. They did this to determine whose prayers would be more effective.

They were need of food, lonely so prayed for wife, home, cloths and finally ship. Other side man did not get anything. So man left the other wanted to go away with ship. A voice from sky said to him: “why are you leaving your companion on island?” Man replied” since I got everything I prayed for that means my blessings are result of my faith and prayers.” Voice from sky responded, “You are sorely mistaken. You are in great debt to that man.” “How is that?” asked first man. “It was that person’s faith and prayer that invoked your blessings as he was one who prayed that all your prayers might be answered.” Replied voice from sky. (story 26)