Vigils Reading – SS Joachim & Ann
July 26
JOACHIM AND ANN
From a sermon by St John Damascene6
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Ann was to be the mother of the Virgin Mother of God, and hence nature
did not dare to anticipate the flowering of grace. Thus nature remained sterile,
until grace produced its fruit. For she who was to be born had to be a first-born
daughter, since she would be the mother of the first-born of all creation, in
whom all things are held together.
Joachim and Ann, how blessed a couple! All creation is indebted to you.
For your hands the Creator was offered a gift exceeding all other gifts: a chaste
mother, who alone was worthy of him.
And so rejoice, Ann, that you were sterile and have not borne children;
break forth into shouts, you who have not given birth. Rejoice, Joachim,
because from your daughter a child is born for us, a son is given us, whose
name is Messenger of great counsel and universal salvation, mighty God. For
this child is God.
Joachim and Ann, how blessed and spotless a couple! You will be known
by the fruit you have borne, as the Lord says: “by their fruits you will know
them”. The conduct of your life pleased God and was worthy of your daughter.
For by the chaste and holy life you led together, you have fashioned a jewel of
virginity; she who remained a virgin before, during and after giving birth. She
alone for all time would maintain her virginity in mind and soul as well as in
body. Joachim and Ann, how chaste a couple! While safeguarding the chastity
prescribed by the law of nature, you achieved with God’s help something which
transcends nature in giving the world the Virgin Mother of God as your
daughter. While leading a devout and holy life in your human nature, you gave
birth to a daughter nobler than the angels, whose queen she now is.
Girl of utter beauty and delight, daughter of Adam and mother of God,
blessed the loins and blessed the womb from which you come! Blessed the arms
that carried you, and blessed your parent’s lips, which you were allowed to cover
with chaste kisses, ever maintaining your virginity. Rejoice in God, all the earth.
Sing, exult and sing hymns. Raise your voice, raise it and be not afraid.
6 The Liturgy of the Hours – vol. III – Catholic Publishing Co – New York – 1975 – pg 1556.13