Saint Anne: Model of the Christian Family

Did you ever wonder how the parents of Mary took it when they learned of her pregnancy? Mary was betrothed to Joseph then. When they learned that Mary was pregnant and the story behind it, did they readily accept it? They did not expect that Mary was the virgin spoken about in the prophecy who will give birth to the Messiah as every Israelite knew.

Ann and Joachim were the parents of Mary. They may be incredulous at first but they accepted it in faith. For that God was pleased. It is alright to ask God when a family crisis occurs. Ann and Joachim must have prayed fervently to God imploring His help. They must have prayed like the following:

“Almighty God, we know that you have saved Israel. You delivered it from its enemies. Israel has failed you many times, yet, you deem it good to save her time and time again. You have shown us what a faithful God you are. Where would we be without you? Oh God of Israel, we are not worthy of your love. We are ungrateful. We are unfaithful. We are sinful! Yet, you have shown us how great your love is! What do you want us to do for our Mary? Speak, Lord. Let us hear from you. You are our God and you can do with us whatever pleases you. Just let us know Your Will, oh God. This is all we ask of you.”

What do you think this prayer would do to God? It is such prayer as this that moves God: humble, trusting, obedient. We can pray the same. He listens and understands. And He never leaves our prayers unanswered.

Obedience to God’s Will is most pleasing to the Lord. Ann and Joachim were pleasing to God. They did all they could to help Mary. They loved her so much but they were also willing to sacrifice her to the God whom they loved. They loved God more than anything else. They were willing to sacrifice their only child to God. Like Abraham, they sacrificed their daughter to God and God rewarded them. Mary became the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What is the role of Ann and Joachim in the salvation of man? Mary would not be Mary without her parents. There is the beginning – her parents. Their cooperation was needed. Just as Jesus was brought to the world through the “Yes” of Mary so did Joachim and Ann’s participation was needed so that Mary could be brought to the world. Knowing what we know of her as the mother of Jesus that must give us an idea of the kind of daughter she was. To have so much love, she must have grown up in a home filled with love.

What about your home? Is it filled with love? How can your family respond to God’s invitation to be sharers in His work of salvation? You can heed the following:

“Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her…” (Eph 5:25) “Wives should regard their husbands as they regard the Lord…” (Eph 5:22)  “Children, obey your parents for this is right. Honor your father and your mother.” (Eph 6: 1-2)

Saint Anne, mother of Mary, pray for us.

by Nena S. Quijano