Reflection for Tuesday December 30 Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity: Luke 2:36-40

Gospel: Luke 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.  When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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Reflection:

What should we do to grow in wisdom about God?

We grow in wisdom when we intentionally invest our time with God. Time spent with Him is not wasted time—it is sacred time. It is in His presence that our hearts are shaped, our minds are enlightened, and our lives are transformed.

The prophetess Anna teaches us this truth. At eighty-four years old, she could have chosen a quiet and comfortable life. She could have stayed at home, taken things easy, and lived according to her own pace. Yet she chose something far greater.

She invested the remaining years of her life in God. Day after day, she remained in the temple, fasting and praying, dwelling in the presence of the Lord. No wonder she was filled with wisdom about God. Her wisdom flowed from a life rooted in prayer and constant communion with Him.

When we look at our own lives, we must ask ourselves: where do we spend most of our time today? Are we consumed by the pleasures, worries, and distractions of this world, giving God only what is left over—if anything remains at all?

So often, we postpone our commitment to God. We tell ourselves that we will spend more time with Him later—when we are older, when we are retired, when we are already weak and sick and finally feel our need for Him. But must it come to that? Must we wait until our strength is gone before we turn our hearts fully toward God?

Let us not make the mistake of taking God seriously only at the end of our lives. Let us not wait for sickness, loss, or weakness before we learn to pray deeply and trust fully. Instead, let us give God our time now—while we are still young or strong, while our hearts are still able to choose Him freely and joyfully.

In the Gospel, Anna was a constant presence in the temple. She worshiped God day and night through fasting and prayer. Her devotion did not begin in old age; it was the fruit of a lifetime of faithfulness. Her closeness to God did not happen by chance—it was nurtured through years of loving attention to Him.

How about us? When do we give God our time? The best moment to invest in God is not tomorrow, not next week, and not someday in the future. The best time is now. We do not know what tomorrow may bring, but we know that God is inviting us today—to draw near, to listen, and to remain in His presence.

Are we willing, here and now, to give God a real place in our daily lives—before comfort fades, before strength weakens, and before time slips quietly away? – Marino J. Dasmarinas