Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne, Mary: Day 189

Last updated on: January 26, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne, Mary: Day 189 2016-01-01T10:28:20-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne

St. John of Damascus summarizes an ancient tradition about Mary’s par- ents, Joachim and Anne.

Joachim and Anne were the parents of Mary. Joachim kept as strict a watch over his thoughts as a shepherd over his flock, having them entirely under his control. For the Lord God led him as a sheep, and he lacked none of the best things. When I say “the best things,” I mean the good things that are desired by those who possess true knowledge, delighting in God; things that are spiritually fruitful to their possessors: namely, virtues. They bear fruit in due season—that is, in eternity—and they will reward with eternal life those who have labored worthily and persevered, as far as possible, to acquire them. First comes the labor, then eternal happiness follows.

Joachim always shepherded his thoughts. He made them lie down in the green pastures of contemplation on the words of sacred Scripture. Made glad by the restful waters of divine grace, withdrawn from foolishness, he walked in the path of righteousness (see Ps 23:1–3).

Meanwhile, Anne, whose name means “grace,” was no less a companion in her life than a wife, blessed with all good gifts, though afflicted with sterility, as a mystical symbol of the world’s situation at that time. In fact, grace at that time remained sterile, not being able to produce fruit in the souls of men. So men degenerated, becoming worse and worse. There was no one with understanding, no one who sought after God.

Then his divine goodness, taking pity on the work of his hands and wishing to save it, put an end to that mystical barrenness of holy Anne. She gave birth to a child whose equal had never been created and never can be. The end of her barrenness showed clearly that the world’s sterility would cease, and that the withered trunk would be crowned with vigorous and mystical life.
—St. John of Damascus, First Homily on the Dormition

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
What lessons in holiness can I learn from Joachim and Anne? Is there any area of my life that seems spiritually sterile? Have I asked Mary to help me become fruitful in that area?

CLOSING PRAYER
St. Joachim and St. Anne, gracious parents of Our Lady and grandparents of our Savior, teach us by your example to be patient in hope, firm in charity, and fruitful in faith.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Paul Thigpen and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with Mary

Previous Post

January 25, 2016

Lenten Suggestions from CBB

Next Post

January 27, 2016 Rejoice! Mary was born for us, Mary: Day 190

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz