One of my favorite days of the year to work at a school is Grandparent’s Day. As the students wait for their grandparents to make their way to the classroom, the first graders’ anticipation is palpable. The children eye the door expectantly, hoping the next person who walks in belongs to him/her.
The wait feels like forever.
When their guest finally arrives, and the pair spot each other, it’s impossible to tell which party is more delighted. The look on the grandparent’s face rivals only their own grandchild’s expression of pure delight.
Even if they had seen each other the prior evening or in the earlier assembly that showcased little voices in song, the joy of their reunion is as though they had been apart a lifetime.
Having a front-row seat to these love-fests is like Christmas.
Outside of school, in church and prayer circles, grandparents express joys and pains around their children and grandchildren. This upcoming Sunday’s gospel makes me think of them, especially grandmothers.
I tell you if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. Luke 11:8
This loaf-giving story likely refers to these spiritual warriors who go to Mass every weekday and weekend to knock and knock again on God's door in petition for their families. It’s not uncommon that a spouse converted from a persistent lifetime of knocking.
God got up, unlocked the door, and handed her a loaf.
Grandparents are often the foundation of a child’s spiritual life. They nestle their littles at Mass while their parents are at work. Some push sleeping progeny in strollers.
Another's grandchild reads a book while her grandmother fingers rosary beads in petition for her prodigals.
A phone rings inside a purse loud enough for everyone to register the snappy ring tone and the personality of the one who chose the jingle. Grandmom fumbles in her purse as the celebrant quips, “Is the Pope calling?”
Two boys, who’ve never been inside a church, wiggle and wrestle in the pew. Their grandparents seized this rare babysitting opportunity to take them to Mass because they desperately want to bring them to Jesus.
I can feel their longing lifting off of them.
And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10
Seniors have clocked more knocks than most.
The late Pope Francis recognized seniors’ unique offerings by establishing a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The first of its kind celebration took place on Sunday July 25th, 2021.
This year, it’s commemorated for the fifth time on Sunday July 27th. near the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus. This year’s theme is fitting for our Jubilee Year of Hope:
Happy are those… who have not lost hope Sir 14:2
Also this year, the Catholic Grandparents Association organized the first International Conference for Catholic Grandparents and the Elderly: Sacred Work of Catholic Grandparents.
A similar organization for grandparents, Grandly.org, with its tag line, Strategic Grandparenting, aims to help grandparents fulfill the unique role they have in their grandchildren's lives, especially in bringing them to faith in Christ.
We join our prayers with faith-filled grandparents whose persistence is contagious. We join them in anticipation for the reunion when our own long-awaited loves will walk through the doors of faith.
Saints Joachim and Anne pray for us!
Related: Faith of Our Grandmothers
Frances Smit is a children’s book author, a Catechist (of the Good Shepherd), educator, and mom. She serves in-the-pews Catholics seeking more by sharing stories that hold space for an encounter with God. She desires everyone to experience that with God, there is always MORE.
Beautiful! I love this line, "Seniors have clocked more knocks than most." I have a hunch that when we get to heaven, it will shine with Grandparents crowned in glory for all the prayers they've sent up for their families over the decades!