Mark Gates is the author of today’s reflection. My daughter and her family from Senegal has been visiting for the last few weeks and this is their last week. Spending the last few days with them before they leave. I don’t get to see my daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren often so I wanted to take advantage of this last week. Also, my daughter informed us that she is expecting with her fourth boy, due this coming November. Not sure if I am happy for her or have sympathy! 🙂
Thanks again Mark for filling in and giving me the opportunity to be with them.
Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
When I was a boy & young man in Catholic schools, I had the
hardest time keeping feast days ‘straight’. Yes, I was one of those
that thought the Immaculate Conception was all about Jesus. When
I did finally understand, the importance of celebrating Sts. Joachim
and Anne became crystal clear. God put a lot of work into getting
Mary just how He wanted her, a pure vessel. The mildly amazing
part for me is: Mary retained her ‘free will’! Mary could’ve said no,
Recall Adam & Eve!! So today we sing thanksgiving to two Unsung
heroes in Salvation history. Praise God.
Exodus 24:3-8, When Moses came to the people and related all the
words and ordinances of the LORD, they all answered with one voice,
“We will do everything that the LORD has told us.” Moses then wrote
down all the words of the LORD and, rising early the next day, he erected
at the foot of the mountain an altar and twelve pillars… **Moses said
“This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in
accordance with all these words of his.”
In Exodus we hear about the Israelites energetic willingness
& commitment to following God’s laws, God’s will. This sounds
just like Joachim, Anne, and Mary. Unfortunately, the honeymoon
won’t last long. But this is the true essence of God. God is ever
joyful, all forgiving, steadfast and true to His people. I’ve said it
before: It’s amazing to me that God keeps on trying with us,
keeps on loving us. Maybe that’s the lesson!
Psalm 50:1b-2, 5-6, 14-15, Offer to God a sacrifice of praise. God the
LORD has spoken and summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to
its setting. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. “Offer to God
praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High; Then call
upon me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.”
“Offer to God a sacrifice of praise”, And this is what we find
ourselves most energetically and willingly giving to our GOD,
praise and thanksgiving. Waa- Hoo!!
Gospel, Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds…
“The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed
in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed
weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and
bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.”
Boy-o-boy, we can all relate to this parable. Most times we feel
like and act like wheat. We try to grow straight and tall in our
Father’s Love, abiding by His statutes, commandments and laws.
But there are those other days, when the weeds try to slowly affect
us and choke us off from God’s love. Don’t fret. It happens to every
person of every generation. I feel, ‘this’ is why the Catholic church
celebrates so many feast days and Saint’s days. We are to
remember that the struggle to live a highly faithful life ending in
salvation is as old as time itself. Joachim and Anne weren’t any
different. Every age presents its own version of sin and death… but
the answer is refreshingly constant: GOD’s Love!!
Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
When I was a boy & young man in Catholic schools, I had the
hardest time keeping feast days ‘straight’. Yes, I was one of those
that thought the Immaculate Conception was all about Jesus. When
I did finally understand, the importance of celebrating Sts. Joachim
and Anne became crystal clear. God put a lot of work into getting
Mary just how He wanted her, a pure vessel. The mildly amazing
part for me is: Mary retained her ‘free will’! Mary could’ve said no,
Recall Adam & Eve!! So today we sing thanksgiving to two Unsung
heroes in Salvation history. Praise God.
Exodus 24:3-8, When Moses came to the people and related all the
words and ordinances of the LORD, they all answered with one voice,
“We will do everything that the LORD has told us.” Moses then wrote
down all the words of the LORD and, rising early the next day, he erected
at the foot of the mountain an altar and twelve pillars… **Moses said
“This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in
accordance with all these words of his.”
In Exodus we hear about the Israelites energetic willingness
& commitment to following God’s laws, God’s will. This sounds
just like Joachim, Anne, and Mary. Unfortunately, the honeymoon
won’t last long. But this is the true essence of God. God is ever
joyful, all forgiving, steadfast and true to His people. I’ve said it
before: It’s amazing to me that God keeps on trying with us,
keeps on loving us. Maybe that’s the lesson!
Psalm 50:1b-2, 5-6, 14-15, Offer to God a sacrifice of praise. God the
LORD has spoken and summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to
its setting. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. “Offer to God
praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High; Then call
upon me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.”
“Offer to God a sacrifice of praise”, And this is what we find
ourselves most energetically and willingly giving to our GOD,
praise and thanksgiving. Waa- Hoo!!
Gospel, Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds…
“The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed
in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed
weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and
bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.”
Boy-o-boy, we can all relate to this parable. Most times we feel
like and act like wheat. We try to grow straight and tall in our
Father’s Love, abiding by His statutes, commandments and laws.
But there are those other days, when the weeds try to slowly affect
us and choke us off from God’s love. Don’t fret. It happens to every
person of every generation. I feel, ‘this’ is why the Catholic church
celebrates so many feast days and Saint’s days. We are to
remember that the struggle to live a highly faithful life ending in
salvation is as old as time itself. Joachim and Anne weren’t any
different. Every age presents its own version of sin and death… but
the answer is refreshingly constant: GOD’s Love!!
I am Mark Gates, your servant. I currently live with my
wife in Peosta, Iowa and have retired. I have spent my
whole life as a God-fearing Christian, Mass Lector and
cradle Catholic. In 1996 after a Charismatic Conference,
My Spirituality ‘Exploded’. The Holy Spirit has since,
blessed me with personal revelations and events in times
of needed admonishment, teaching or encouragement.
Having a personal belief and true affection for The Real
Presence of Christ in Eucharist and also a very sweet,
tender, and special relationship with our Holy Spirit, I
believe that our world is in dire need of Good News. I
want my spirituality to create conversations! I pray that
you allow these musings to start your own conversations.
