Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21)
Today the Church remembers and honors the grandparents of Jesus, the mother and father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Those who give birth to Mary and who instructed her in the first steps of coming to know and love God. It was in their home that love for the word of God was planted in the heart of Mary. It was thanks to their planting that such beautiful fruit of faith would grow in the life of Mary.
This feast let us thank the Lord for those in our families who have helped us to come and know the Lord: those who taught us how to pray the Rosary; those who taught us about Jesus’ Presence in the Eucharist; those who told us stories from the Bible; those who showed us examples of sacrificial love in caring for us, or examples of forgiveness in the mercy they showed us, examples of patience in facing life’s difficulties without letting themselves be overcome by bitterness or despair, examples of faith in their trust in God. Let us give thanks to God who has used them to sow such good seed in our hearts, and let us dwell on what they have done so that we may welcome that work of God more and more profoundly. Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us!