THE CITIZENS OF THE NEW JERUSALEM


SS. JOACHIM AND ANNE, PARENTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Jer 3:14-17; Jer 31:10-13; Mt 13:18-23

The New Jerusalem and the Throne of God

The first reading taken from Jeremiah is so suitable for the memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne. In the prophecy, Yahweh foretold what he planned to do for the salvation of the world. He intended to take people from different towns and clans to reconstitute Zion and appoint a king who would rule according to his will. “I will take one from a town, two from a clan, and bring you to Zion. I will give you shepherds after my own heart, and these shall feed you on knowledge and discretion.” What would constitute the basis for choosing those from towns and clans to repopulate Jerusalem? The basis will be their relationship with the word of God; these are people who are attentive to the word of God and loyal to the will of God contained therein. Their faith in the word of God will make them citizens of the new Jerusalem. Yahweh dispersed the old Jerusalem because of their disloyalty to him, their Master. Hence, no one will become a citizen of the new Jerusalem who is not faithful to the word of God and loyal to his will. Over such humble and loyal citizens of the new Jerusalem, Yahweh will appoint loyal and faithful shepherds. They will be shepherds after God’s heart because he will choose them from among the citizens of the new Jerusalem.

The second part of the prophecy expands on what we have understood above. Because Yahweh himself will teach the shepherds, they will impart knowledge and discretion to the citizens.  These will convert more and more people into citizens of the City of God by their manner of life. Because they live faithful to the word of God, there will be no need to have the ark of the covenant constructed as a physical thing. The heart of each citizen will be the ark of the covenant of the Lord, where he will enthrone his word. This is why the new Jerusalem will be the City of God. “When that time comes, Jerusalem shall be called: The Throne of the Lord; all the nations will gather there in the name of the Lord and will no longer follow the dictates of their own stubborn hearts.” Every heart in the new Jerusalem will be subject to the will of God revealed by the word of God faithfully stored in their hearts and observed in their words and deeds. The Responsorial Psalm, from the same Jeremiah, is about the gathering of the citizens of the new Israel of God. The old Israel was scattered because they were not Israel at heart. Thus, the gathering will be of those who are true Israel unto the Lord. “O nations, hear the word of the Lord, proclaim it to the far-off coasts. Say: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him and guard him as a shepherd guards his flock.’” Thus, in every clan and town, there will be Israelites who are spiritually gathered to the Lord.

The Parable of the Sower by our Lord in the gospel throws more light on the subject. Those not fit for the new Jerusalem are separated from the true citizens of the City of God by their relationship with God. Our treatment of the word of God makes us into citizens or non-citizens. Those without discretion will not be there. “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom without understanding, the evil one comes and carries off what was sown in his heart: this is the man who received the seed on the edge of the path.” Those who are not courageous enough to endure trials and persecutions, on account of the word, will not be there. “The one who receives it on patches of rock is the man who hears the word and welcomes it at once with joy. But he has no root in him, he does not last; let some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, and he falls away at once.” Those attached to this world will not make it to the City of God. “The one who received the seed in thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this world and the lure of riches choke the word and so he produces nothing.” God will gather only those who hear the word of God with understanding and persevere in keeping it. St. Joachim and St. Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are among those gathered; God found them faithful enough to be entrusted with the most precious of his creatures, the Ark of the Covenant, the mother of the heavenly Shepherd and the City of God.

Let us pray: O Lord, God of our Fathers, who bestowed on Saints Joachim and Anne this grace, that of them should be born the Mother of your incarnate Son, grant, through the prayers of both, that we may attain the salvation you have promised to your people.

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