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Thursday, July 26, 2012

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Sts. Joachim & Anne


Sirach 44:1, 10-15
Psalm 132:11, 13-14, 17-18
Matthew 13:16-17

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grand grandparents

"These also were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten; their wealth remains in their families." —Sirach 44:10-11

We need grand grandparents like Joachim and Ann, the grandparents of Jesus. We need grandparents who have not merely lived to see their children's children, but who are totally consecrated spiritual warriors that will "go out in a blaze of glory." Our grandparents shouldn't be re-tired but re-fired. They should "fight hard for the faith" (Jude 3), attack the gates of hell (Mt 16:18), and shoot Satan out of the sky (Lk 10:18). We need grandparents who aren't living as if they are afraid of dying (see Heb 2:15). We need elder Christians who are not ashamed of the Gospel (Rm 1:16), who have the courage to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15) and witness for Jesus (Acts 1:8), and who have long since stopped worrying about being popular (see Gal 1:10).

Grandparents, soon you will be seeing Jesus face-to-face (see 1 Cor 13:12). Now is no time for fear and selfishness. "You are not to spend what remains of your earthly life on human desires but on the will of God" (1 Pt 4:2). It's time to run for the finish line, "life on high in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14). When we die is not as important as how we live. Despite the weakness and struggles of old age, live and die for Jesus.

Prayer:  Father, "now that I am old and gray, O God, forsake me not till I proclaim Your strength to every generation that is to come" (Ps 71:18).

Promise:  "Blest are your eyes because they see and blest are your ears because they hear." —Mt 13:16

Praise:  Sts. Joachim and Anne accepted God's call to marry and raise a child. They dedicated their daughter to God, and God blessed her among all women.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2012

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