It was in the home of Joachim and Ann where the Virgin Mary received her training to be the Mother of God. This devotion to Ann and Joachim is an extension of the affection Christians have always professed toward our Blessed Mother. We too, owe a debt of gratitude to our parents for their help in our Christian formation.
"Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." (Exodus 16:3)
The insatiability of man has been an aged long vice right from when God created man and gave him all that he needed to live on. But out of unnecessary desire and longing he derailed by seeking for fulfilment by eating the forbidden fruit. (cf. Genesis 3:1)
He suddenly forgot the goodness of the Lord who created him in His image (Genesis 1:26). Inspite of this, God did not abandon man. He kept to His promise not considering the ungratefullness of man. In the course of history He revealed Himself in the salvation account of humanity as He led the Israelites through the red sea. Amidst this, they were not satisfied and kept on murmuring as today's first reading says:
"Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." (Exodus 16:3)
The above murmuring came as a result of the hunger they faced, but they suddenly forgot every other goodness of the Lord since they began the journey.
Beloved in Christ what is often our reactions when the going is tough? Why do we deny the existence of God whenever there is challenge on our way? When last did we pause awhile and count God's blessings upon us? Let us therefore examine our consciences in this direction, if not we will continue from where the Israelites stopped in today's first reading.
Finally, as we celebrate the memorial of the parents of our Lady (Ss. Joachim and Anne) let us call on them to intercede on our behalf to be conscious of the goodness of God in our lives especially when we face with duffuculties and tribulations. Peace be with you!
Let us pray
O Lord, God of our Fathers, who bestowed on Saints Joachim and Anne this grace, that of them should be born the Mother of your incarnate Son, grant, through the prayer of both, that we may attain the salvation you have promised to your people. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 26072023
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