Today's Gospel in Art - There was a prophetess, Anna

The Prophetess Anna by Rembrandt, 1631© Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Gospel of 30th December 2020 - Luke 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with him.

Reflection on the Painting

In our painting by Rembrandt, we see the Prophetess Anna reading Scripture. The letters in the sacred book appear to be in Hebrew, although they cannot be read as a text. It is thought that this painting is a portrait of Rembrandt's mother. The wrinkled hands are beautifully rendered conveying wisdom and age. The main light falls on the book she is reading and on her wrinkled hand, stressing the importance of Scripture for Rembrandt. The woman's face remains in the shadows.

It is the age of Anna that makes for a very hopeful reading today. She was found daily in the House of God, praying and speaking prophetically to others about the Lord's promise to send the Messiah…. She was eighty-four when she finally met Jesus. Advancing in age, dealing with the hardships and disappointments in life, can make people feel cynical towards the Christian faith. Anna's hope in God and love for Him grew with age! So today's reading is one of great hope and expectation that God always fulfils His promises towards us.

LINKS

Today's story: https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/652

Christian Art - www.christian.art/index.php