By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

On the second day of his 5-day “Penitential Pilgrimage” to Canada, Pope Francis presided at the Holy Mass at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, with the presence of the faithful.

In the homily, the Holy Father invited everyone to think about their own grandparents, as the Church celebrates the feast day of Saints Joachim and Anne, in whose home the child Jesus came to know his relatives and “experienced the closeness, tender love and wisdom of His grandparents.”

Children of a history to be preserved

Pope Francis highlighted that we are children of a history that needs to be preserved – not isolated individuals – as no one comes into the world detached from others. Thus, our roots and families in which we grew up are part of a unique history that preceded us and gave us life.

In this light, “we did not choose that history” but “received it as a gift”, one we are to cherish. We are “descendants” of those who went before us and their “inheritance” which is “centered on righteousness, fidelity to God and His will.”

“We are here thanks to our parents, but also thanks to our grandparents, who helped us feel welcome in the world,” the Pope said, adding they are the ones who love us unconditionally, without expecting anything back. Thanks to them, he continued, “we received a caress from the history that preceded us: we learned that goodness, tender love and wisdom are the solid roots of humanity.”

Further appreciating grandparents, the Pope said it is in their homes that many of us “breathed in the fragrance of the Gospel,” and discovered a “familiar” faith, through affection, encouragement, care and closeness.

He pointed out that it is in this way that Joachim and Anne loved Mary, and how Mary, in turn, loved Jesus, with a love that “never smothered Him or held Him back,” and the Pope invited everyone to learn not to pressure the consciences of others, or fail to love and respect those who preceded us or are entrusted to our care.