Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saints Joachim and Anne (26th July, 2016) on the Gospel and the
Memorial
Jer 14:17-22;
Ps 78:8-9.11.13. (R. v.9);Matt 13:36-43.
Saint Joachim, also spelled Joaquin[1]
meaning “he whom Yahweh has set up” was the husband of Saint Anne and the
father of Mary, the mother of Jesus, according to the Catholic, Orthodox, and
Anglican traditions. Saints Joachim and Anne are not mentioned in the Bible. The
story about them first appeared in the apocryphal Gospel of James.[2]
It was alleged that Mary was promised to them by an angel, was consecrated to
God, and she remained a virgin all her life. Saints Joachim and Anne serve as
role models for parents.[3]
Topic: ...the furnace of fire.
Jesus’ disciples approached Him in today’s gospel with a request
to explain to them the parable of the weeds of the field which we read last
Saturday. He said to them,
The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field
is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are
the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the
harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
All causes of sin and all evil doers will be gathered and
thrown into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth. On the other hand, the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom
of their Father.
Most often, when we meet this furnace of fire where all the
causes of sin and all evil doers will be thrown into, we pass them unnoticed.
It is impossible to explain this in mortal language because every fire we
experience results from the goodness of God, cf. Gen 1:31. And whenever it goes wrong, the fire service can assist. Yet
no right-thinking human dares to play with even as little as the light of a
candle.
The furnace of fire was ignited by God’s anger for torment,
cf. Rev 14:10. And no fire service can
assist because it can never be quenched, cf. Mk 9:48. Prophet Nahum questions, “Who can stand before his
indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like
fire, and the rocks are broken asunder by him” (Nah 1:6). And our Lord warns,
If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw
it away.... if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away;
it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go
into hell (Matt 5:29-30).
The furnace in question is not bearable. Let us therefore follow
the examples of Saints Joachim and Anne and prove ourselves as the children of
the kingdom. Whoever fails to do so will have him/herself to blame.
Bible Reading: Mk 9:42-48.
Thought for today: All causes of sin and evil doers are destined for the
fires of hell.
Let us pray: Lord, through the intercession of your
Son’s grand-parents, help us to avoid the furnace of fire – Amen.
Saints Joachim and Anne – Pray for us.
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