Fr. Albertus Herwanta, O. Carm
The parents of Our Blessed Lady, St. Joachim and St. Anne, give us a great lesson about spiritual inheritance. Scripture tells us little of them, but tradition has honored them as faithful parents who brought up Mary with a deep love of God. They passed on wisdom, faith, and devotion to their daughter. This we call spiritual inheritance, passing on what is most important from one generation to the next.
King Solomon asks God for wisdom in the first reading to rule God's people. He asks for no riches, no power, no long life. He asks for a heart to understand. And that pleases God. Solomon knows that wisdom is a gift from on high, and without it he cannot carry out his calling. This wisdom is more than knowledge. It is the capacity to see life from God's perspective, to choose what is right, and to lead others to the truth.
This sort of wisdom was personified in Saints Joachim and Anne. They had no riches in abundance on earth, but they had something far greater. They had the wisdom of the Lord. They lived by the Law and Prophets. They prayed and worshipped and believed the promises of God. And they laid this wisdom deep in Mary's heart. "They trained her to listen to the voice of God and to say "yes" to His will, even when it was hard." Mary was the ground of their spiritual wealth.
Mary, in turn, became the Mother of Jesus. She carried within her the very Word of God. Her "yes" at the Annunciation changed human history. It would not have been possible without the quiet, faithful example of her parents. Joachim and Anne show us that spiritual inheritance is not automatic. It is a conscious act that requires daily acts of love and prayer and teaching. Parents form their children not just by what they say, but by how they live their faith.
The Gospel today speaks of a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of priceless value. When someone finds this treasure, they sell everything to possess it. They dedicated their whole lives to obtaining it. They taught her that the Kingdom is worth more than all the world can offer. That's the best inheritance a parent can give.
Now we, the parishioners of Saint Anne's, are called to follow their example. We may not all be parents of saints, but we all have a role to play in passing on the faith. As parents, grandparents, godparents, teachers, or mentors, we all have a responsibility to the younger generation. If we live by wisdom, they will emulate it.
The challenge is real. The world offers many distractions. Materialism, digital noise and busy schedules can drown out the voice of God. We may feel unqualified to teach others. But like Solomon, we can ask God for wisdom. They leave a lasting spiritual legacy through the simplest deeds.
May Saints Joachim and Anne inspire us to accept this call. Let us open our eyes and ears to the treasure of the Kingdom and joyfully pass it on to the next generation. (*)