Saints Joachim and Anne

Scripture readings for today can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072617.cfm.

Today we celebrate the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and grandparents of Jesus.

According to a 2nd-century tradition, Anne and Joachim conceived Mary as a gift from God after years of infertility. Devotion to Anne dates back to around 550, when Emperor Justinian built a church in St. Anne's honor. In most artwork of Saint Anne and the child Mary, we see Saint Anne teaching Mary to read the scriptures.

Because of the love and devotion Joachim and Anne had towards God, they were blessed with the gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary. By sharing their love and faith in God with Mary, Mary in turn became the most honored Mother of God. Because of the influence her parents had on her, Mary was always able to be open to the will of God in her life.

Mary learned from St. Anne of the promises of God to send the Messiah to the people of Israel. Mary knew scripture and was able to live out her faith in God with love and trust. This love of scripture and trust in God allowed Mary to respond to the Angel Gabriel, "I am the maidservant of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word."

The story of Joachim and Anne teach us to always to have God and scripture in the heart of all we do. God was the center of their lives and as a result God was able to work through them to bring about His plan for salvation.

Let us, like Joachim and Anne, always study scripture and allow God to work through us to bring His message of love and healing to those in our lives.  Like Mary, we are called to bring Christ into a world that is in most need of His salvation and forgiveness. Let us allow His love and healing penetrate us and those we know and love.