The greatest work you will ever do
Anne and Joachim.
The parents of Mary. And Jesus’ grandparents.
They are today’s saints. And background characters in the Gospel narrative.
Deep background. There’s even less about them in the Gospels than the one-off characters that surround Jesus’ birth (like Simeon or the Magi). As in nothing.
Anne and Joachim didn’t make it into the Bible.
So, why do we care about them? What’s the point of having a feast for people who are this invisible?
Because – and this goes hard against the spirit of our own age – invisible does not equal unimportant.
Truth be told, some of the most important work ever done is never seen.
We’ve got a blind spot when it comes to people who do great things. Or even just people who are well-known.
We like to think of them in isolation. Towering, singular, self-made. As if they did it all by themselves.
Which couldn’t be further from the truth. Because no one – none of us – gets anywhere alone.
All of us are where we are because countless people have invested their time and effort in us. Equipping us, forming us, building us up, encouraging us. Making sure that we had what we needed. Whether for a moment or for a lifetime.
This is one of the many reasons why we make such a big deal about Mary. This is what she did for Jesus. She’s a big part of why Jesus is who He is. That’s obvious.
But how did Mary become Mary? Anne and Joachim.
They are why Mary became Mary. Because they answered God’s call. They used the gifts that God gave to them to lift her up. That is why we remember them, because they show us what we are called to do.
God gives you and me the same call, when he entrusts us with the gifts of our lives. God gives us the gifts of our lives – our skills, our abilities, our resources, and even our time – not for ourselves, but to use for others. To lift them up.
When you use your God-given gifts to help someone, you are being true to your God-given nature. You are being who God called you to be.
If you have ever wondered why there is such joy in helping someone? This is why.
Because the greatest work you will ever do is lifting up someone else.
Today’s Readings
