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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Canon Ann Easter

Good morning.

I was delighted to learn that, in the Eastern Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches, today we celebrate Saint Joachim, husband of Saint Anne, the parents of Mary, and grandparents of Jesus.

Anne and Joachim had had no children and they were getting on a bit so Joachim went and fasted in the desert for forty days, then met Anne at the Golden Gate in the wall of Jerusalem and, nine months later, Mary was born. There was an ancient belief that a child born of older parents was destined for great things – think of Abraham and Sarah’s son Isaac – and certainly Joachim and Anne’s daughter Mary was a woman of courage.

But I’d like to think that Jesus was often looked after by his grandparents. I know it isn’t always possible but I do think that, where they are able, grandparents can add a very special extra layer of love and care into their grandchildren’s lives. My mother had multiple sclerosis so she and my father could not help practically, but my children were very close to my parents and would have long discussions about all sorts of subjects.

Maybe Joachim and Anne told Jesus stories about their childhoods and shared with him the long-held promise of God that, one day, a Messiah would come to show people the way of true peace.

Lord God, thank you for grandparents and the people who stand in for them. May we who are able to influence young people, guide them to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.

Amen.