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

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 Made glad by the restful waters of divine grace, withdrawn from foolishness, he walked in the path of righteousness (see Ps 23:1–3).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.

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