Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary     

(Exodus 16:1-5.9-15; Matthew 13:10-17)

A senior citizen tries to pass on the Catholic faith to his adolescent grandson.  Whenever the youth spends a weekend with him, he invariably takes him to Sunday mass.  The youth tells him that he enjoys the experience.  However, he has yet to ask if he might join the Church.  Today as we honor Saints Anne and Joachim, the parents of Mary and thus the grandparents of Jesus, we may speculate on their contribution to Jesus’ faith commitment.  

 It may be presumed that Anne and Joachim raised Mary as a devout Jew.  They taught her how to wait upon the Lord and instructed her not to follow the winds of the time.  They reminded Mary of how God loves His people and will aid them in distress.  Mary, in turn, passed on these instructions to Jesus who more than anyone else knew of God’s love. 

Catholic grandparents today often have to teach their grandchildren the rudiments faith.  Their own children have often been alienated from God and the Church. This second generation understands religion as rites marking the passage of time and rules dictating how one should live.  Where this is the case, grandparents need to convey the truth of our faith.  They must tell their children how faith is the key to life.  It assures us of the Creator’s love and enlightens us of His will.