Reflection for July 26th, 2022 Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne

Lippi, Filippino: The Meeting of Joachim and Anne Outside the Golden Gate of Jerusalem

Liturgical readings: Jeremiah 14:17 – 22, Psalm 79:8, 9, 11 & 13; Matthew 13:36 – 43.
Additional information is taken from the “First Gospel of James”.

As I reflect on the readings for Tuesday July 26th, I am led to focus on the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne. The invitation for me came from Jeremiah 14: “For your name’s sake spurn us not”. Also included in the connection to this invitation was the Responsorial Psalm – “For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.”

Joachim and Anne had a rough time discerning God’s desire for them. Anne (Hebrew: Hannah) was born in Bethlehem in Judaea. She married Joachim (whose name means Yahweh prepares), and although they shared a wealthy and devout life in Nazareth, they eventually lamented their childlessness. Joachim who was reproached at the temple for his sterility, retreated into the countryside to pray Anne, grieved by his disappearance and her barrenness, solemnly promised God that, if given a child, she would dedicate it to the Lord’s service. Both received the vision of an angel, who announced that Anne would conceive and bear a most wondrous child. The couple rejoiced at the birth of their daughter whom they named Mary.  Anne and Joachim became parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the future grandparents of Jesus. Joachim was a very religious man who shared his wealth with the poor.

The account of their lives startingly parallels the Old Testament story of the barren Hannah and her conception of Samuel (1 Samuel 1); Hannah also dedicated her child to the service of God.

My fiancé and I are learning how to live a life that gives glory to the name of the Holy One. We see it in the way we live and love in the now moments of our life together. It is helpful that we are involved in several church ministries. We have the strength and support of a wonderful community. Each experience in our journey together teaches us new ways of being in relationship.

What can you do in your own life to glorify the Holy One?