Today we remember the Parents of the Virgin. In the Holy Scriptures we see nothing of them, but surely they existed as all parents do. There is an early but unreliable document, known as the Proto-Gospel (or Proto-Evangelion) of James, that calls them Ann and Joachim, and the Church customarily has referred to them by these names. It is easy to forget but just think, these people had a huge influence on their daughter, the Virgin Mary. Remember how she humbly submits to God's will? Surely she learned this attitude from her family, esp. her mom and Dad. I think that is a wonderful tribute to them, and any parent should be proud to have such a child.
Almighty God, heavenly Father, Who set the solitary in families: We thankfully remember before You this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and we humbly entrust to Your never-failing care the homes in which Your people dwell; that we may be made true members of the heavenly family of Your Son Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.
What a poignant reminder! sometimes I have moments of sweaty anxiety wondering if the faith that I am modeling and attempting to transmit to my 3 daughters will take root and grow. I have witnessed so many 'Christian' families whose children have abandoned the faith of their parents, or watered it down to mere ritual. This thought always causes me to fall on the grace of Jesus, and realize how that I cannot 'make' my girls Christian. And yet, as your post reminds me, I bear a huge responsibility to live faithfully and obediently and transparently with jesus, so that my girls can see Him as the Ultimate Source of Life.
Thanks for the good words. Peace,
harry
Posted by: Harry | July 28, 2006 at 09:48 AM