Keeping our roots

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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Parents of the BVM, 26 July 2024
Jeremiah 3:14-17     <*((((><<  +  >><))))*>     Matthew 13:18-23

As we reel from the aftermath
of the recent storms that caused
widespread floods and affected 
so many lives,
Your words today Lord Jesus Christ
direct our thoughts 
to our roots and rootedness 
in God and with one another
especially our grandparents.

The seed sown on the rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away (Matthew 13:20-21).

How lovely that on this Memorial
of Saints Joachim and Anne,
the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the gospel invites us to go back and nurture 
our roots; like any good tree planted firmly
that provides shades and food
as well as holds water when rains come,
roots evoke a sense of interconnectedness,
of trust with each other,
of our grounding in life and mission
that give direction for us in life;
without the root,
we not only wither and die
but lose sense and meaning in life;
it is in the root we find our identity
and mission;
in the root is found our true selves;
it is the root that holds us
to remain whole despite 
the many blows we encounter in life.
That is why the Prophet Jeremiah
invites us in the first reading to 
go back to God,
to be converted always.
It is not difficult to find out what kind
of people were Saints Joachim and Anne
because when we study and reflect the
writings we have about 
the Blessed Virgin Mary
and her Son Jesus Christ,
the more we discover
their roots must be so good indeed.

God our Father,
let us be rooted in You always,
finding You among the people
You gift us beginning with our
family and friends;
let us realize our roots
extend beyond people but also
with all your creation
so that we may love and care
for the blessed environment 
You have given us called Earth.
Amen.