Reflection on the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Check out today’s reading here.
I’m an anxious person. I often have to stop myself from assuming the worst outcome in any situation. And today’s Gospel, describing all the ways we can be tempted to disobey God’s Word, does little to calm my nerves. Do you think you have God’s Word in your heart? Well, the devil may steal it. Or you may forget it at the first sign of persecution. Or “worldly anxieties and the allurements of riches” may corrupt you.
“Worldly concerns” here presumably refers to worries about material possessions, status, and power, but the phrase also reminds us that focusing first on the things of the hereafter helps us put worldly concerns, whether they be wealth or results, in proper perspective.
Seeds sown in fertile soil bear the most fruit. I recently prepared a vegetable patch and was encouraged by the fact that with the right elements, the soil can be enriched. We may encounter rocky ground and thorns, but by removing and enriching them, we can make the soil ripe for growth. It’s the same with our spiritual life. I am inspired to think about what spiritual practices I can add to my life to foster true growth, what new prayer or service opportunities can help me better serve others in God’s name, and so on. How can I embrace stillness and silence to better hear and understand God’s word, knowing that I am never alone, even in the midst of my worries?
