John addressed everyone in the community. He reminded them of the gifts they had received from God. God had forgiven them, given them strength, and enabled them to conquer the evil one. The tone changes as he warns the community not to love the things of this world - not to yearn after things that pass away. They should strive to do the will of God, for the things of God were eternal. If we follow God, we know that we will have abundant life now and eternally.

At the time of their purification, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As Simeon recognised Jesus and proclaimed him to be "a light to the Gentiles," Anna, an elderly prophetess, came onto the scene. Anna was a widow who had remained in the temple for many years, worshipping God. She also recognised Jesus as the one who was to be God's instrument for the redemption of Israel. So here we read that Jesus had come to be a light to the Gentiles but would also be the redemption of Israel. We are all one in God's sight.