Tuesday 26 Jul

Sts Joachim & Ann, parents of Mary

Ecccles 44:1,10-15, Ps132,
Matt 13:16-17

A rich inheritance born of them

Joachim and Ann were the grandparents of Jesus, so this is the ‘feast of grandparents’. We know little more than their names, but the ‘sense of family’ around Mary is from them. They provided her with a living tradition of faith and prayer and continuity. Which is the calling of all grandparents, to support their children in parenting and embody a way of life that is authentic and fulfilling. I remember my grandparents in gratitude.