Readings of the day
First Reading: 1 John 2:12-17
Psalm: 95 (96):7-8a,8b-9,10
Gospel: Luke 2:36-40
Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. There was 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.