Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of
Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (26th July, 2017) on the
Gospel and the Memorial
(Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary
Time (I))
Ex 16:1-5.9-15;
Ps 77:18-19.23-28. (R. v.24);
Matt 13:1-9.
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 are role
models for parents.[3]
Topic: The defaulter.
Jesus taught the people using many parables. We see in
today’s gospel the parable of the sower. As the sower sowed the seeds, some
fell on the path, some on rocky ground, some among the thorns, and the rest on
good soil. Only those who fell on good soil were able to grow to maturity “and
brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Who is to blame for those seeds that fell on wrong soil types?
We have three most possible culprits – the sower, the seed, and the soil types.
It is very easy to see it as the consequence of sheer carelessness of the sower.
But it will not be right because he must have sowed for the seeds to bear
fruits. Hence, Saint Paul asks, “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?
Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock
without getting some of the milk?” (1Cor
9:7). The seeds have no other option than to fall where they are sowed. The
soil type is the next. Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you
in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt 7:15). Most certainly, the wrong soil types must have
presented themselves to the sower as good soil. We must be sober and watchful. Our
adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour, cf. 1Pt 5:8.
We have been transformed to bear fruits for God, cf. Rom 7:4. We must ensure that we are
doing this task. Jesus warns, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my
recompense, to repay every one for what he has done” (Rev 22:12; cf. Matt 16:27).
Saints Joachim and Anne we celebrate today are good examples. They lived as good
Christian parents. The parable continues from tomorrow’s gospel.
Bible Reading: Matt 3:1-10.
Thought for today: Make sure you produce fruits.
Let us pray: Lord, do something new in our lives;
make out of us good soil that will bear fruits – Amen (cf. Is 43:19).
Saints Joachim and Anne – Pray for us.
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