The love and wisdom of grandparents

Sisters and brothers in Christ, Jesus' disciples asked him to explain to them the parable of the weeds in the field. Jesus did just that. He took the time to explain it to his disciples. In this Gospel passage.

I am reminded of the roles of grandparents. While parents are often busy with many things - from family life to work to other responsibilities - grandparents move at a slower pace. I see this in my parents and my in-laws in how they interact with their grandchildren. How they take the time to explain things to the young ones, just as Jesus did with his disciples.

More often than not, grandparents keep the faith alive in their grandchildren. I have met so many young adults, through the CALLED TO BE ONE Marriage Class, who shared that it was their grandparents - and not their own parents - who raised them in the Catholic faith. Grandparents have so much love and wisdom to share with their families. I am blessed to know at least one of my grandparents and she continues to enrich my life so much.

Today is also the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us pray for all grandparents and the elderly that they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

. . .

Gospel of the Day

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.

His disciples approached him and said,

“Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,

the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.

The weeds are the children of the Evil One,

and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.

The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,

so will it be at the end of the age.

The Son of Man will send his angels,

and they will collect out of his Kingdom

all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.

They will throw them into the fiery furnace,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

Then the righteous will shine like the sun

in the Kingdom of their Father.

Whoever has ears ought to hear.”