[Salvation]

December 30, 2003, Tuesday, 6th Day in the Octave of Christmas

The ‘Happy Warrior’

Alfred Emmanuel Smith was born on this day 130 years ago.

After serving four terms as governor of New York, his name was placed in nomination as the Democratic candidate for the presidency by Franklin Roosevelt at the 1924 Democratic convention. It was in Roosevelt’s nominating speech that Smith was dubbed “The Happy Warrior.”

Smith was the first Roman Catholic to be seriously considered for the presidency, and this (along with his opposition to Prohibition) became a major issue. After 102 ballots, the convention gave the nomination to John Davis.

Four years later, at the 1928 convention, Al Smith won the Democratic nomination of the first ballot.

The ensuing presidential campaign dealt with many issues, not the least of which was Smith’s Catholicism. Various groups (including the Ku Klux Klan) openly opposed him because of his religion, and a great deal of anti-Catholicism rose to the surface.

Smith answered by saying, “I believe in absolute freedom of conscience for all, and in the equality of all churches, all sects, and all beliefs before the law as a matter of right and not as a matter of favor.”

Herbert Hoover, the Republican candidate, won a landslide victory, 444 to 87 electoral votes.

[Salvation]

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 84. 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. Lk 2:36-40

We know nothing about Simeon and Anna before or after their appearance in Luke’s Gospel. They are among those who appear briefly in the unfolding of God’s plan, and whose names are inscribed in our memories.

Anna will leave the scene without a word of hers having been recorded. All we are told is that she “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all.”

Giving thanks to God is the best thing we know how to do. We don’t have answers. We don’t know all the whys let alone the hows. What we do know is that this child, who becomes a grown man, who dies on the cross, who goes through death to the other side, will bring about the redemption of all creation.

Anna died before God’s great project was finished. I probably will too.

In a world that often tends toward pessimism, I would do well to imitate the strong hope and thankfulness of this kind old woman named Anna.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.