December 30, 2025, Tuesday, The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Lectionary #203, Luke 2: 36-40

Scripture
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.

Reflection
The sacred authors present to us the reality of sin’s threefold structure, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). In his temptation in the desert, Jesus overcame this structure of sin, which ruled the world from the time of Adam and Eve.

Jesus showed us the means of overcoming sin in our own lives through the traditional practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It was just this kind of devotion that made Anna’s heart burn with love for Jesus.

At La Salette, Our Lady expresses her concerns about worship, the proper use of food during the season of Lent, and the need for daily prayer. In doing so, she recalls the example that Jesus has already set for us in overcoming temptation.

Freedom from sin is nurtured by the proper discipline of mind, the body, and the senses, by talking with God and the saints, and by the works of mercy. Such things set our hearts free, like Mary’s and Anna’s, to grow in love for Jesus and for all those for whom he gave his life.

La Salette Invocation
Our Lady of La Salette, reconciler of sinners,
pray without ceasing for us who have recourse to you.