#LasallianLife
Grandparents
October 20, 2023
In a few weeks, we will hear the gospel story of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary with the news that, “You will bring forth a son, and will call his name Jesus.” In the gospel, Mary responds, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” I find it relatable that she did not respond, “Yes, God, I understand everything completely!” Instead, Mary responded with an unwavering openness to God’s call. She answered “yes” based upon faith, not “yes” based upon understanding. Her answer emerged from her commitment to prayer, faith, and steadiness during what was certainly a time of confusion and nervousness.
It is clear that Mary grew up in a home that fostered these characteristics of love, openness, faith, steadiness, and strength. Pope Francis remarked on her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne:
“Mary grew up in the home of Joachim and Anne; she was surrounded by their love and faith: in their home she learned to listen to the Lord and to follow his will. Saints Joachim and Anne were part of a long chain of people who had transmitted their faith and love for God, expressed in the warmth and love of family life, down to Mary, who received the Son of God.”
This past Sunday, we celebrated Grandparents and Special Friends Mass at CBA. Our 7th grade students invited their grandparents or special friends to attend mass, share breakfast, and tour our school. Together, we celebrated the grandparents and special friends who are living and who have passed – reflecting on their gift of transmitting “warmth and love of family life.” We thanked God for their loving embraces, humble wisdom, resilient strength, and unwavering faith. We recognized the important role of grandparents in helping us to understand, but more importantly, to walk with us, love us, and guide us when we do not understand. Today, I would like to continue this celebration by thanking all grandparents and special friends who bless us with God’s love in so many ways!
Loving God, bless all our grandparents, those with us today and those who have gone to be with you. We thank them for sharing their wisdom and faith with us. We are grateful for their courage and confidence to hand on your gifts through experience and knowledge of stories, songs and memories. Bless them here on earth and celebrate with them in your kingdom. May they always know the love and gratitude that we have for the gift they are in our lives. Amen.
Mr. Matthew Keough
President, Christian Brothers Academy
