Sts. Joachim and Anne
Mt 13:36-43
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
Let anyone with ears listen!
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
It’s true: people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care
Today we remember Mary’s parents, Saints Anne and Joachim. Parents are often our first teachers. I imagine Anne and Joachim must have been safe, understanding parents, teaching Mary not only about religious beliefs and practices, but also how to make bread, draw water from a well, to ponder deeply, laugh heartily, and be a friend. It’s said that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I imagine Mary easily and eagerly learned from Anne and Joachim because she first knew how much they loved her.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus acts as a teacher, too, as he explains his parable. The disciples, in turn, actually hear and live his teaching because they first knew Jesus’ love for them.
In this world, people are often zealous to “educate” others about “the truth.” As Christians, before we teach anyone anything, however, people must first know how much we love and care for them.
—Christopher Alt, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province. He is a psychotherapist now studying theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University.
Prayer
Lord, teach me to be a generous teacher.
In my efforts to evangelize and minister, whether as parent, friend, or colleague, let me attend to my tone and timing.
In my eagerness to share the truth, let me first help others feel safe, let me first make it abundantly clear to others just how much I love and care for them.
Amen.
— Christopher Alt, SJ