Gospel in Art: There was a prophetess, Anna

The Prophetess Anna, Rembrandt,1639 © Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 30 December 2024
Luke 2:36-40

At that time: There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the Temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

And when Joseph and Mary had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favour of God was upon him.

Reflection on the painting

In today's gospel, Anna is described as an eighty-four-year-old widow who had lost her husband after just seven years of marriage. In a time when life expectancy was much shorter than it is now, Anna was considered a very old woman. Yet, her life was spiritually rich and deeply fruitful. She remained in the Temple, serving God day and night with fasting and prayer, and spoke to everyone who longed for Jerusalem's deliverance about the child Jesus. Anna is described as a prophet. A prophet is essence is someone who is attuned to God's word through prayer and called to share that word with others. Her life reminds us that, even as we age physically, we can grow stronger spiritually. Though the limitations of age may prevent us from doing certain things, our relationship with the Lord can always deepen.

Anna's example shows that God often has meaningful work for us in our later years. With more time and space in our lives, we are invited to draw closer to the Lord by bearing witness to him in quiet acts of service. Many elderly individuals in our parishes, much like Anna in the Gospel, provide invaluable contributions through their quiet acts of service. Here at Westminster Cathedral, I am reminded of the stewards who greet and assist with warmth, the collectors who faithfully support our liturgies, the readers who proclaim God's Word with clarity and reverence, and the guides who share the beauty and history of our Cathedral with others. Their humble devotion enriches our parish in countless ways, serving as a testament to the enduring vitality of faith at every stage of life.

Rembrandt's The Prophetess Anna at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna portrays an elderly woman, traditionally thought to be modelled on his mother. Her walking stick accentuates her age. The prayer shawl indicates she spent her time in the Temple. The painting departs from Rembrandt's usual technique, with thin, almost transparent layers of paint lending an ethereal quality to the work, emphasising Anna's spiritual presence. It is a very tender, intimate portrayal of an elderly woman, capturing both her frailty and profound faith.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-2-36-40-2024/