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.
The ‘Last Gospel’
The Gospel for today’s Mass is the opening verses of John’s Gospel (called the “Prologue”). It was often used as a blessing.
In the 13th century, it became the custom in some places for priests to recite this Gospel passage privately after Mass as they were taking off their vestments.
In the form of the Mass that emerged from the Council of Trent (late 16th century), the priest was to read this Gospel passage (to himself) at the altar before Mass ended.
In the liturgical reform of Vatican II, this private thanksgiving of the priest was no longer included as part of the Mass.