Saints Joachim and Anne were surely models of God’s faithful people
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne (July 26, 2018): JER 2:1-3,7-8,12-13; PS 36:6-7,8-9,1-11; MT 13:10-17
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
This feast is a lovely celebration of Jesus’ family, in particular his grandparents Saints Joachim and Anne.
While the New Testament tells us nothing about them, they clearly reared their daughter to love and serve God. Many early artistic depictions of Mary and Anne show the little girl learning the Scriptures at her mother’s knee. Certainly Mary and her parents would have prayed these versed from the Psalms: “Lord, Your mercy reaches to heaven; your fidelity, to the clouds. Your justice is like the highest mountains; Your judgments, like the mighty deep.… For with You is the fountain of life, and in Your Light we see light” (Psalm 36:6-7,10). Mary, who is the greatest human expression of love other that her own Son, surely experienced dedicated loving care from her own mother and father.
Devotion to Joachim and Anne has existed since the early Middle Ages, so it is not surprising that they should be honored as the patrons of grandparents. If they had the opportunity, they would no doubt have doted on Jesus and shared their own belief in Almighty God with Mary’s little boy.
Suggested missionary action: Let us pray to Saints Joachim and Anne to look after all children, especially those in need. In their honor, let us make some specific effort this week to help a child who is poor or sick as well as his or her family.
