Greetings this Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: Sir 44:1, 10-15; Ps 132:11, 13-14, 17-18; Mt 13:16-17
Notes: From time to time you will read my complaint about the overemphasis of Heroes, Saints and Martyrs as the focus of the Church and, for that matter, secular society. Mostly because we expect the Other to be a hero, saint or martyr but of our own household we are not held to such a standard.
- The mantra of “Good guy with guns will protect us” has failed disgracefully as an example.
- The demand that women with ectopic pregnancies should be Saints in facing certain doom, even if their religious tradition does not expect that of them, is an absurd misuse of the terms Saint and Martyr. This is only truly possible by conversion not coercion.
But, we do have heroes, saints and martyrs. They are remembered for their self-gift of life itself. They are our ideal and our model for our own behaviors. They are the huge crowd from every nation and race, people and tongue, before the Lamb dressed in white robes and holding palm branches (abb Rev 7:9-12).
Then we have the quiet Saints. Who faithfully worship God and obey the commandments and seek the consolation of Israel and of their own household.
Franciscans have a beautiful write-up on the quiet heroism of the parents of Mary. Below is their reflection part.
Reflection
This is the “feast of grandparents.” It reminds grandparents of their responsibility to establish a tone for generations to come: They must make the traditions live and offer them as a promise to little children. But the feast has a message for the younger generation as well. It reminds the young that older people’s greater perspective, depth of experience, and appreciation of life’s profound rhythms are all part of a wisdom not to be taken lightly or ignored.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-joachim-and-anne
First reading
Now will I praise those godly men [and women],
our ancestors, each in his/her own time:
These were godly men [and women]
whose virtues have not been forgotten;
Their wealth remains in their families,
their heritage with their descendants;
Through God’s covenant with them their family endures,
their posterity for their sake.
Responsorial Psalm
God will give him the throne of David, his father.
Alleluia Verse
They yearned for the comforting of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit rested upon them.
Gospel Portion
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Blessed are your eyes, because they see,
and your ears, because they hear.
Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people
longed to see what you see but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 