Today we celebrate St. Anne, our Detroit Archdiocesan Patroness, and so we have different readings in place of the readings for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. St. Anne, who is known about from early Christian writings—though not from the Bible—was childless until later in life. She and her husband Joachim prayed to God for a child and were told by an angel that they would conceive. St. Anne did conceive and gave birth to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was the grandmother of Jesus. And so we celebrate her today as the Patroness of Detroit.
Thinking about St. Anne made me ask the question: What does holy mean? I understand that how we speak, the words we choose to use, can shape our ways of thinking—just say “tree” and the picture in people’s minds can vary from maples to pines to palm trees. So what does holy mean to you?
I looked up holy in Webster and it says: specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority, consecrated; dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church or religion; saintly, devout, devoted, godly, pious; of religious purity, exaltation…
Most of us have been told that the word “holy” means sanctified or set apart for God (I like that better). When we think of “set apart” though, that can be like using the good dishes only on special occasions, keeping them apart from daily use… yet holiness should be an every day thing; active and connected with those around us to make life better, happier. I like the idea of Holy St. Anne and Joachim parenting the Blessed Virgin Mary in daily life, the every day—demonstrating that we can live holy lives while going about our business of living. Holiness is really not about do’s and don’ts, but being actively called to build wholesome and holy relationships, living honestly in this world. It’s less about what we may try to avoid, and all about what we do and say.
No matter what our lot in life may be, we are called to make each other’s lives better, fuller and more aware of God by our witness in this world. Our way of life should be shaped by God and our striving to be holy. Thank you, St. Anne, for your example!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Thinking about St. Anne made me ask the question: What does holy mean? I understand that how we speak, the words we choose to use, can shape our ways of thinking—just say “tree” and the picture in people’s minds can vary from maples to pines to palm trees. So what does holy mean to you?
I looked up holy in Webster and it says: specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority, consecrated; dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church or religion; saintly, devout, devoted, godly, pious; of religious purity, exaltation…
Most of us have been told that the word “holy” means sanctified or set apart for God (I like that better). When we think of “set apart” though, that can be like using the good dishes only on special occasions, keeping them apart from daily use… yet holiness should be an every day thing; active and connected with those around us to make life better, happier. I like the idea of Holy St. Anne and Joachim parenting the Blessed Virgin Mary in daily life, the every day—demonstrating that we can live holy lives while going about our business of living. Holiness is really not about do’s and don’ts, but being actively called to build wholesome and holy relationships, living honestly in this world. It’s less about what we may try to avoid, and all about what we do and say.
No matter what our lot in life may be, we are called to make each other’s lives better, fuller and more aware of God by our witness in this world. Our way of life should be shaped by God and our striving to be holy. Thank you, St. Anne, for your example!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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