Saints Joachim and Anna as an Example of Chastity in Family Life by St. John of Damascus
Anna was
to be the mother of the Virgin Mother of God, and hence nature did not dare to
anticipate the flowering of grace. Thus nature remained sterile, until grace
produced its fruit. For she who was to be born had to be a first born daughter,
since she would be the mother of the first-born of all creation, in whom all
things are held together.
Joachim
and Anna, how blessed a couple! All creation is indebted to you. For at your
hands the Creator was offered a gift excelling all other gifts: a chaste
mother, who alone was worthy of him.
And so
rejoice, Anna, that you were sterile and have not borne children; break forth
into shouts, you who have not given birth. Rejoice, Joachim, because from your
daughter a child is born for us, a son is given us, whose name is Messenger of
great counsel and universal salvation, mighty God. For this child is God.
Joachim
and Anna, how blessed and spotless a couple! You will be known by the fruit you
have born, as the Lord says: By their fruits you will know them. The conduct of
your life pleased God and was worthy of your daughter. For by the chaste and
holy life you led together, you have fashioned a jewel of virginity: she who
remained a virgin before, during and after giving birth. She alone for all time
would maintain her virginity in mind and soul as well as in body.
Joachim
and Anna, how chaste a couple! While safeguarding the chastity prescribed by
the law of nature, you achieved with God’s help something which transcends
nature in giving the world the Virgin Mother of God as your daughter. While
leading a devout and holy life in your human nature, you gave birth to a
daughter nobler than the angels, whose queen she now is. Girl of utter beauty
and delight, daughter of Adam and mother of God, blessed the loins and blessed
the womb from which you come! Blessed the arms that carried you, and blessed
your parents’ lips, which you were allowed to cover with chaste kisses, ever
maintaining your virginity. Rejoice in God, all the earth. Sing, exult and sing
hymns. Raise your voice, raise it and do not be afraid.
Source: johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/09/st-john-damascene-on-chaste-couple.html
