Daily Reflection Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne,  Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Ann and Joachim were called to be the parents of Mary, grandparents of Jesus. Although we do not know many actual facts of this couple, we do know that they cared for their child who became the mother of the Savior. They must have followed what Moses preached to the people—trust in God who will give us all that we need—and passed this experience on to Mary. We honor this couple in a special way today.

    We hear in today’s first reading how frustrated and impatient the Israelites have become because of their need for physical nourishment. Although they doubt it at times, God is guiding and caring for them during this long journey back to their homeland. Obviously, they do not feel this care and complain to Moses. When they ask about the white flakes coming down from heaven, Moses assures them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.”

    In all that we are experiencing with our insane weather and our nation’s political chaos, we can understand how the Israelites want to be freed of their unsettled state. Yet, we know from biblical history that God does save the people—maybe not the way they want to be saved—but God does provide for them. Throughout salvation history we know how God has provided for all people who are trusting and generous with their lives.

    In our gospel today, Jesus is preaching by way of parables. Earlier in this column, I pointed out that Jesus does not tell parables like simple stories. No, Jesus preaches parables to shake us up. What in our lives needs to be changed so that we live more fully and more humanly the commandments that Moses passed on to us? Jesus further explains what this rule of life means to us in our twenty-first century. However, we cannot solve life’s problems without the daily silence of sitting with our God. Just as Moses showed his people how God cared for them, so Jesus shows us how much we are loved. During this reflection we compare how we live with what God has given us to imitate. Jesus counsels us to be alert, “Whoever has ears ought to hear.” We are called to become who God created us to be.

    Poet, Edwina Gateley, crafts her words in modern language to express today’s Scriptural message: Become who you are created to be.

Called to Become

 

We are called to become

A perfect creation.

No one is called to become

Who you are called to be.

It does not matter.

How short or tall

Or thick-set or slow

You may be.

It does not matter

Whether you sparkle with life

Or as silent as a still pool,

Whether you sing your song aloud

Or weep alone in darkness.

It does not matter

Whether you feel loved and admired

Or unloved and alone

For you are called to become

A perfect creation.

No one’s shadow

Should cloud your becoming,

No one’s light

Should dispel your spark,

For the Lord delights in you, 

Jealously looks upon you

And encourages with gentle joy

Every movement of the Spirit