02/022024

 Anna was old in years and did odd jobs about the Temple because that is where she felt closest to the Lord. As another old person I can appreciate that she shared with Simeon a sense of disappointment that the longed for descendant of David had not yet appeared. 

Simeon had been promised that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah so they could still  hope in the Lord, for the  Lord was still guarding his people. His Temple was still being constructed.

Joseph approached the priests of the day with the appropriate offering and Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the true IAMIAM filled Simeon with the holy inspiration to proclaim what is still the Night Prayer of those who have devoted themselves to God in the centuries since that moment in the Temple.

My disappointment is that I am the only one in my family who has not been captured by Mammon. I pray and preach to myself, hoping, that my prayers for all my loved ones will be answered. Anna and Simeon hoped in the Lord and I too must follow their example.

Dear Lord, nothing is impossible for you. Please let the hearts and minds of those I love become aware that there is nothing that is secure in this world. You who are greater than the whole universe know each one of us. Let your Holy Spirit bring the Love and Joy that comes from you into the hearts and minds of all peoples. Let my prayers be heard as are those of Anna, Simeon and Joseph and let Mary's pleas as your Mother and ours bring to our world and to Purgatory the Mercy that has its never-ending source in you. Amen