Saints Anne and Joachim were the parents of Mary. We celebrate them with interesting scripture. They instructed Mary in the commandments like all parents, but I have to think that Mary was a pretty good kid to start since she is the Immaculate Conception.
Years ago I taught RCIC which was the right of Christian Initiation for Children. It was surprising the many backgrounds that the children came. We started by reading the Ten Commandments and went on to explain them. This was a little more challenging. Protestants number them differently than Catholics but the words are the same from Exodus 20. My joke to the class was to take Exit 20 on the interstate for them to remember what part of the Bible to look.
Sensitive issues arose from explaining adultery, stealing and murder. The nuisances of hate being murder and honoring your mother and father could be difficult for small children of different ages. The object was to prepare them for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. My co-instructor and I did a very good job of explaining the process and preparing them for the sacrament. They all did fine.
Years later I ran into one of my student’s family and he still remembered our classes and still goes to church every Sunday. We never know when the words we use to spread the seeds of God’s word will take hold. Jesus said in Matthew 13, “But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty fold.” This is the job of everyone and not just parents.
We need to live the Ten Commandments for the world and not just honor Saints like Joachim and Anne who instructed their children. Shop clerks are always surprised when I had them change when they give me too much back. Paper bills stick together. We should not teach the commandment we need to live them to the world around us.
My family knows that I do not use the name of God in vain, but with anger it will slip out sometimes. If it happens they are shocked and I make a point of apologizing immediately and asking the Lord’s forgiveness. To lie, steal or cheat is not acceptable for people, politicians or countries. Bad behavior is never acceptable. We can not shame the world anymore, but we must declare God’s word and live it with our actions.
People know the commandments and are watching you and me to see how we live those commandments. They never were suggestions. If we as the people of God, live those commandments, teach our children and the larger world around us, then we will be spreading the seed.
God bless you today and always
Bob Burford
PS Thank you for prayers for John and Paul.
PSS Wikipedia picture above of Sts. Joachim and Anne is from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana
