Memorial of Saints Joachim & Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Intention: In thanksgiving for our schools’ Board Trustees and for God’s blessing on their indispensable work.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 13:36-43
Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as 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 who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
From the Meditation on Saint Anne, Mother of Mary | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
God has chosen you to teach others to know him. He also wishes you to bring forth, so to speak, the Most Blessed Virgin in the hearts of those whom you instruct, by inspiring them with a tender devotion to her. This spiritual vitality of yours must be the effect of your fervent prayers, of your love for the Most Blessed Virgin, and of the zeal you show in your instructions to have her loved.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your love exists for all time and each day it finds us and touches our lives. Help us to welcome you into our hearts through our faithfulness to your word and our love for one another. Forgive us when we fail to do your will. Remove the blindness from our eyes and the hardness from our hearts so that we can find and serve those who are in need, working with faith and zeal to build your Kingdom. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.