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Wednesday 6th Day in Octave of
Christmas
The Institute
December 30, 2015
ANNA IN THE SPOTLIGHT ++++++++++++++++++++++
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Prophetess Anna is at center of today’s Gospel
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It’s the only place Anna is ever mentioned in Gospels, but in few
verses we get insight into her & a lesson 4 ourselves
1ST ANNA IS PEACEFUL ++++++++++++++++++++++++
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1st Anna’s widowed 4 many years, probably 60
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Knows hardship & sorrow, but she’s not grown bitter or
negative
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Instead, comes across as a + & peaceful person of faith in
spite of her dealing well with adversity
2ND ANNA HAS NOT LOST
HOPE +++++++++++++++++
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2nd Anna is old – 84 – yet she has not lost hope
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Often age can take away not just the strength of our body, but also
the strength of our spirit
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Age can cause dying of R hearts & souls, but not so with Anna
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Luke says she still gives thanks 2 G & looks forward 2 one
who’ll be a savior for God’s people
3RD ANNA IS PERSEVERING
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And 3rd perhaps the reason for Anna’s peacefulness &
hope is her perseverance
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Gospel says w/ a bit of hyperbole, “She never left temple, but worshipped night & day w/ fasting &
prayer”
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It’s easy to pray when we feel like it, when it offers us
sweetness & consolations
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But Anna just prays day in and day out, when she feels up & when
down, no matter what
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& that perseverance in praying has payoffs 4 her: inner
peacefulness, hope 4 a Savior, & even insight 2B able 2 identify Savior in
the child Jesus
APPLICATION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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So, this simple, elderly, widowed woman is a good example for us
today
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Steady, faithful, persevering prayer – tending our relationship
with God every day, no matter what
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This can also help us to have peace, to hope, & 2 have insight
into how God’s present 2 us now & what God wants of us
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Let Anna be our exemplar
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