＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1 John 2:12-17

 My dear children,

I write this to you: you have already received the forgiveness of your sins through the Name of Jesus. Fathers, I write this to you: you know him who is from the beginning. Young men, I write this to you: you have overcome the Evil One. My dear children, I write to you because you already know the Father.

 Fathers, I write to you because you know him who is from the beginning. Young men, I write to you because you are strong and the Word of God lives in you who have indeed overcome the Evil One.

 Do not love the world or what is in it. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 For everything in the world—

the craving of the flesh,

the greed of eyes

and people boasting of their superiority—

all this belongs to the world, not to the Father.

 The world passes away with all its craving but those who do the will of God remain forever.

 

Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10

Le the heaven be glad and the earth rejoice!

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊      

Luke 2:36-40

There was also a prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. After leaving her father's home, she had been seven years with her husband; and since then, she had been continually about the temple, serving God, as a widow, night and day, in fasting and prayer. She was now eighty-four. Coming up at that time, she gave praise to God, and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

When the parents had fulfilled all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their town, Nazareth in Galilee. There, the child grew in stature and strength, and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon him.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Some people dedicate their whole life to find what they are looking for. These extraordinary displays of faith and patience are only possible when you are nourished by a strong prayer life. For mere human strength could falter in the face of long uncertain years of waiting. Only the strength of the spirit can sustain such an endeavor. That is why Anna, the prophetess is continuously present in the temple to serve God night and day. This is not just to fill her days. She could have other activities. Perhaps she knew deep in her heart that what she waits for will come to the temple. She will see what she longed for through the years in the house of God. And so, our gospel is the fulfillment of the long years of patient waiting. She sees the child, gives praise to God and bears testimony on behalf of the child. She is now complete. What will happen to her afterwards is of no consequence,

 

"I am writing you a new command:『love』

 the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining."