Jul 26 Sat
Where did Our Lady grow?
In the home of her parents, Joachim and Anne, the Virgin Mary received the training needed to become the Mother of God. There, Mary learned to pray and developed all those virtues that were so pleasing to the eyes of God, and that prepared her to answer God's call.
Love for Jesus led Christians to want to know as much as possible about Christ's earthly family. Although the Gospels do not mention Mary's parents, the Church's Tradition tells us: “Our Lady’s parents were Joachim and Anne, who were pleasing to God during their lives and gave birth to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was to be both temple of God and Mother of God. The name Joachim means ‘preparation for the Lord,’ for he was an instrument in preparing the temple of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin. Similarly, the name Anne means ‘grace.’ For Joachim and Anne received the grace to bring forth a most beautiful offspring."
The greatest mission parents can accomplish for their children is to bring them up in holiness, preparing them to become good children of God. “Experience shows in all Christian environments what good effects come from this natural and supernatural introduction to the life of piety given in the warmth of the home. Children learn to place God first and foremost in their affections. They learn to see God as their Father, and Mary as their Mother, and remember to pray following their parents' example.”
“One can easily see what a wonderful apostolate parents have and how they must live a fully Christian life of prayer, so they can communicate their love of God to their children, which is something more than just teaching them."
“How can they go about this? In the few, short, daily religious practices that have always been lived in Christian families and that I think are marvelous: grace at meals, morning and night prayers, the family rosary ..."
“I still pray aloud the bedside prayers I learned as a child from my mother's lips, and I say so with the pride and gratitude of a son. As I offer to God the day that is beginning, or thank him for the day that is drawing to a close, I ask him to increase in heaven the happiness of those whom I especially love and so unite us there forever."
In a truly Christian home, imbued with a life of piety, the divine grace of a particular vocation takes hold more easily. For this reason, St. Josemaría told us that we owe our parents a considerable measure of our Christian vocation.
Moreover, we try to help our parents share in the great happiness we have found. Our charity would be disordered if we were to direct our apostolic efforts towards many souls and neglect our families.
Thus, we must pray often for them and get in touch with them regularly, especially when family anniversaries and special events come around. We will keep in mind their concerns and plans, their needs and hopes. We will help them realize that, although we may be far away, our calling has strengthened our love for them and made us more united with them than ever.