Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus – All of us do this everyday

“A Christian community should do as Jesus did: propose and not impose. Its attraction must lie in the radiance cast by the love of brothers.”- Jean Vanier (Founder of L'Arche, an international federation of communities for people with developmental disabilities)

Gospel Text: (LK 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.

Anna came upon the presentation of Jesus in the temple as the text above states. She gave thanks to God and then began to talk about the child “to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Awaiting what?

Jesus came to deliver us from our sins, by his gift of forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

He came to deliver us from our self-doubt, by assuring us we are beloved of His Father.

He came to deliver us from our fear of death, for he came as the one who died and rose.

He came to deliver us from our confusion, by showing us how to live.

He came to deliver us from our sadness by the joy of his presence.

Finally, he came to deliver us from prejudice, hatred, greed and all that divides us, so that all may be one and there may be peace on this earth.

But first we have to unite ourselves with him in the “temple of our hearts” and present ourselves to the Father. Then and only then will our hearts grow and our wills will be strengthened.