Scripture
Luke 2: 36-40
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by 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.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Ignatian Reflection
Recognizing the Messiah
The moment referred to at the beginning of Luke 2:38 is when an old woman, a widow, a prophet of great faith and deep devotion, witnesses the child Jesus being presented in the temple. With the gift of her faith Anna knew the true identity of this child and it meant everything to her. What must it have been like to wait for the Messiah, the one long hoped for, for eighty plus years? In that vast time span Anna grew up, got married and found herself a widow, of very low social status. But in her old age, the one who she and all of Israel had been waiting for, for so long, finally appeared. The prayers of an entire people were answered in Jesus’s coming. Anna was able to joyfully recognize who Jesus was and communicated Jesus’s identity to others, work which we are also called to do.
—Carl Caceres, SJ, is a Midwest Province Jesuit working on a doctoral degree in higher education and doing spiritual direction at Loyola University
Ignatian Prayer
Dec 30, 2025
Prayer
We Pray to You, O Lord,
Thank you for the example of your prophet Anna
Help us commit to steadfast prayer as she did
Give us the eyes of faith to recognize you
In our daily lives, to share your Good News joyfully
And to praise you in both word and deed
Give us patience to listen to your invitations
And courage to respond to what you call us to.
Amen
—Carl Caceres, SJ
The Daily Examen is a prayer technique developed by St. Ignatius to help us reflect on the events of the day to discern God's presence and direction. When Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, he required the Jesuits to practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.
The Examen structure presented below is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. Click here for more information from our partners in ministry at Loyola Press.
Daily Examen
1. Become aware of God's presence
God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me.
2. Review the day with gratitude
God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and today.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
God, help me to be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded, and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it
God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me, and continue to bless me.
5. Look toward tomorrow
As I look to the remainder of this day, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be.
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