Faith, Tradition and Grandparents

THE WORD AND THE FEAST

July 26, 2023: Grandparents' Day: Celebrating Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary
Ecclesiasticus 44:1,10-15; Matthew 13: 16-17

The first setting in which faith enlightens humanity is the family, declares the first encyclical of Pope Francis, Lumen fidei (52). It further explains that passing of faith in the family happens in the process of shared expression of faith within the family, helping children to become aware of their faith and grow and mature in it. 

Christian faith is always communitarian and it is passed on primarily in families. Many researches on the level of faith being lived (or practiced) in Europe vis-a-vis India, say that one major reason for the degeneration in Europe is the weakening of the institution of the family. Those who hand on faith to us are really God-given. Most important among them, our parents and grandparents who not only give us life but show us also how to live it, from their own experience. 

Celebrating a day to remember the parents of Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother, provides us an opportunity to remember with thanks these our fore-runners in faith, as the first reading suggests, 'let us praise famous persons, our parents in their generations. These were persons of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten' (Sir 44:1,10). Infact, thanks to them, we are in a position better than them due to their hard work, great example and their dreams for us! 

Jesus acknowledges that in his words (Mt 13:16-17) and exhorts us to live up to our blessedness, our giftedness, worthy of the faith and tradition that is transmitted to us, from our predecessors. A grateful remembrance of our grandparents if they are no more, or a bear hug to them if they are still with us, will be the right thing to do today!