Sunday was always a special day for my family. We would travel 30 minutes to get to the closest Church to attend Mass. My grandparents would always meet us and we would attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass together. Following the Mass we would gather at their home to eat and spend the day enjoying each others company as a family. I with great gratitude give thanks to my parents and grandparents for the time that we spent together on the Holy day because it instilled in me the importance of Church in my life.
Today we gather together as a family for the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne. We remember not only the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but the grandparents of our Lord, Jesus Christ. These saints had great effect upon their daughter, Mary, because they raised her in a household which reflected moral values and respected the Jewish faith. I am sure that they had relations with her Son and helped to teach him as they did his mother.
Tradition states that Saint Anne was unable to bear a child and many interpreted this as divine displeasure towards her family. Due to this Saint Joachim would travel off to the desert to fast and do penance for 40 days. Eventually an angel came to the couple and they were promised a child. Even prior to the birth of Mary we can see the tradition that this family had great faith and trust in God that would be worth wild to be handed down to their child.
On this wonderful memorial may we call to mind our parents and grandparents and all that they have handed onto us. In a special way we join our prayers especially during this liturgy for them. For parents and grandparents here today we call to mind our great responsibility that we have been in trusted with in handing on the faith to others. May Saints Joachim and Anne walk with us today to help us to always draw others to the greater glory of God.
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