This weekend’s readings are a little different than those we would normally hear on the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Archdiocese of Detroit celebrates Saints Joachim and Anne as its patronesses, and as such, we are invited to reflect on the grandparents of Jesus.
At first glance, it might seem like an interruption to the normal Sunday readings, but it may be the exact reminder we need. Our lives are filled with things competing for our time and attention. Work, sports, entertainment, social media, endless notifications, and busy schedules can easily become the centers of our lives without that ever being the intention. We often spend our best energy attending to what feels most deserving of our focus, while neglecting what is truly important.
The readings this weekend redirect our focus. Through Saints Joachim and Anne, God prepared the world for the coming of Jesus. Long before He was born, God was faithfully working through ordinary people, ordinary homes, and generations of family members who remained open to His plan. That raises an important question we should ask ourselves: What gets most of my time, energy, and attention?
Do we spend more time worrying about life’s distractions than recognizing how God is working in our families? Do we remember that, through baptism, we have been born into God’s family, or do we allow the pressures of daily life to define who we are? Do we make time for the grandparents, parents, and elderly individuals who have helped shape our faith, or are they too easily pushed aside because life feels too busy?
Saints Joachim and Anne remind us that holiness is often built quietly over time. It is formed in families, faithful relationships, and the simple decision to keep God at the center of our lives.
This week, notice where your time and energy really go. Where your attention leads often reveals what you value most. Then, ask yourself: Am I giving my best attention to the things that lead me closer to God—or merely to the things that keep me busy?
