Today, the Church celebrates the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary. They are not mentioned in the gospels but our knowledge of them comes from the oral tradition of the early Church. They are mentioned in a writing known as the Gospel of James: a transcript which is from the second century A.D. which was never included among the writings of the New Testament. According to this writing, Mary was promised to Joachim and Anne by an angel. As a child, she was consecrated to God and remained a virgin all her life.
Veneration of the parents of Mary has a special prominence in the Eastern Church - both Orthodox and Catholic. They are especially seen as patron saints of holy marriages and holy families and grandparents. Joachim and Anne serve as role models for husbands and wives, mothers and fathers and even grandparents. We can strive to emulate them in their devotion to God and to Our Lady, Mary, the mother of our Lord, Jesus.
In the gospel chosen for the memorial of these holy grandparents, Jesus says to his disciples: Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear ... many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see ... and to hear what you hear (Mt 13:16-17). Let us ask Saint Joachim and Anne to be close to us today. May they who had the privilege of saying yes to God's word help us to do the same so that we too can see and hear with faith today and joyfully give thanks to God for all that we have received.
Have a great day.
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