Gospel of the Day
Reading from the holy gospel according to 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.
With both at once.
In the time of the prophetess Anna, one could not be married and be with God at the same time. She was married for 7 years and then served in the temple with God. Today, however, we can be married and be with God because the Lord is among us. And we can be witnesses of His presence in our Marriage. What joy it is to be with my husband and to have God present among us at the same time.
Grounded in Married Life:
Rolando: Carina, lately I have been experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit among us so strongly… It’s incredible.
Carina: I don’t experience it as much. I’m used to being in the Lord’s presence alone, but not so much with you, Rolando.
Rolando: Would you like to be in the Lord’s presence while we’re holding hands?
Carina: Yes, I would love to.
(They entered into the Lord’s presence, and both experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit among them, giving testimony to all the spouses around them).
Mother,
Thank you for being in our lives and bringing us closer to the Lord together. Praise be to God.