In the First Reading from today's Office of Readings, Saint Paul writes: "Ecce nunc dies salutis" - "Behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Saint Joachim and Saint Anne are the parents of the Immaculate Conception. God is constructing another Ark, not made with human hands, but by God Himself. This is not another ark for the Old Covenant, but an Ark for the New and Everlasting Covenant. In this Ark will not be a jar of manna, but the Bread of Life. In this Ark will not be the stone tablets of the Law, but the Lawmaker. In this Ark will not be Aaron's rod, the symbol of authority - but instead this Ark will contain THE AUTHORITY.
In the Second Reading from the Office of Readings Saint John Damascene, filled with joy exclaims: "O par beatum Ioachim et Anna" - "O blessed couple, Joachim and Anne." As if a witness to it all, Saint John Damascene continues: "Lætare Anna! Exsulta, Ioachim!" - "Be glad, Anne! Rejoice, Joachim!"
The Brigittine Rosary has six decades. The first Joyful Mystery of this Rosary is the Immaculate Conception. Our Lord relives in our soul the marvelous works He has done to bring us salvation by at first building Himself a spotless Temple in which to dwell before He enters into the world.
Like Saint John Damascene, our Lord calls all of us to be witnesses to such an act of love. We too are temples of the Holy Spirit, a house in which God dwells. Be glad! Rejoice!
