In the first epistle of John, he writes to "little children," "fathers," and "young men," thus to people of all ages, urging all to know the Father and to reject the fleeting attractions of the world, especially sensuality and lust of the flesh, and material possessions. He further reminds us that the world, with all its cravings, is coming to an end, but what lasts forever is doing the Will of God.

In the Gospel, we hear of an old woman by the name of Anna, who through her life, did the Will of God. She was blessed and she praised God and spoke to all, who were present at the Presentation, about this infant who is the Saviour of the world.

Both Mass readings call us to radical discipleship in doing the Will of God. John's admonition to not love the world is to orient our hearts towards God's eternal Will, just as Anna oriented her whole life to God. In our daily lives, it may appear that consumerism, status, or idle entertainment have taken up most of our time; yet, like Anna, we are called to discern God's light in the ordinary. We join the "little children" who have received forgiveness, the "fathers" who know the Father, the "young men" who are strong, who have God's Word in them and who have overcome the evil one, in proclaiming Christ to the world.