Sts. Joachim & Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 2024

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

They looked forward to Israel’s comforting
and the Holy Spirit rested upon them. LK 2:25

ECCLESIASTICUS 44:1,10-15

My Soul's Beloved,

Godfearing families can and will save the world but we see so few of them. Families are generally indifferent to the spiritual education of their children. They are steeped in the ways of the world teetering on the edge of a precipice that will keel over any moment into total destruction. It is easy to be pessimistic about the hedonistic culture that prevails in the world. The young have no direction and sadly and heartbreakingly although some of them have been raised in the bosom of Holy Mother Church the ways of the world proved stronger than their love for God and their faith in Him.

While it may be easy to wring our hands in despair we know Lord that You always raise holy men and women in every generation who by their example influence the culture and the people with their tremendous love for God and their lives of heroic virtue. They shine Your light in a world that is becoming increasingly dark and void of hope. One little light that shines bravely and faithfully can dispel the darkness and this is why we must never lose hope.

Today, as the Church celebrates the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of our Blessed Mother, Mary, we ask for their powerful intercession as Your grandparents, to obtain from You the graces we need to become more receptive to living a life of faith in the face of opposition, persecution, and discrimination. The lives of saints remind us that it is possible with Your help to be holy and perfect as Your Father is holy and perfect. You do not ask us to do what we cannot but what we can. Every day in little ways, help us live the Gospel values and we will overcome the world.

PSALM 131(132):11,13-14,17-18

The Lord swore an oath to David;

  he will not go back on this word:

‘A son, the fruit of your body,

  will I set upon your throne.’

For the Lord has chosen Zion;

  he has desired it for his dwelling:

‘This is my resting-place for ever;

  here have I chosen to live.

‘There David’s stock will flower;

  I will prepare a lamp for my anointed.

I will cover his enemies with shame

  but on him my crown shall shine.’

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

MATTHEW 13:16-17

My Soul's Beloved,

You caution us that to those to whom much is given much will be asked. As Catholics much has been given to us. The vast majority of us are privileged to be born of Catholic parents, raised in the faith of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and have had the benefits of the wondrous Sacraments to help us nurture our faith and be strengthened by it. Even after we have sinned greatly, and grievously, and were separated from You and the Church, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we find the healing remedy for the greatest contrite and repentant sinner. Here we are reborn again and again and are restored to perfect health in mind, heart, soul, body, and spirit. 

Your words today are spoken to us directly and it is up to us to take note of what You say and live accordingly. For in the end, O Lord, You who are the righteous judge appointed by Your Father will judge us more strictly because of the wondrous gifts we have received as Catholics.

‘Happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.’