ISSL Reflections January 31, 202, Luke 2:36-38, Acts 2:16-21, 21:8-9 Post 1

I.
For this week we have three Scripture passages (four if you count the reference to Joel 2:28-32 in Acts) set in front of us.

As you consider these words let them rest with you for a while then reread them, maybe a couple of more times,

II.
Luke 2:36-38

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.

Acts 2:16-21

No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.

And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Acts 21:8-9

The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.

III.
While the Luken passage is most often read with the Christmas narratives and the occasion of the naming of Jesus in Jerusalem eight days after his birth, it serves us well to notice Anna especially as it is read alongside other words in Acts and Joel that speak of women and prophets.

I assume you did notice that all the passages reference women prophets?

IV.
What do you make of that?

How does it strike you?

What is your initial reaction?

Do you respond with an “Amen, So be it!” or do you respond, “Ok, but we have to read this alongside Paul’s writings that limit the role of women in the church and in ministry.”?

What are you thinking?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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