Monday 26 July 2010 Saint Joachim and Saint Anne

An ancient tradition, already known in the 2nd century, gives these names to the parents of the Virgin Mary. The cult of St Anne became popular in the 6th century in the East, and in the 10th century in the West, where she is the patron saint of Brittany; Joachim was added a long time later – too often the fate of fathers.

Although the information about Mary’s parents is found in an early apocryphal writing that gives many miraculous and highly-colored stories about the early life of the Virgin Mary, there is no reason to suppose that such a straightforward fact as her parents’ names should be wrong, since there is nothing to be gained from falsifying it. It does not occur in the Gospels simply because the most reliable evangelists (the only ones whom we have allowed into the Bible) felt they had more important things to talk about.

But what, after all, could be more important than the parents who brought up the Virgin Mary to be the woman she was? At the moment of consenting to the Incarnation she took the most important decision ever taken by any human being, and the fact that she took it is, to a great extent, the work of her parents. The Holy Spirit gave her the strength to take the decision; but her parents’ training gave her the wisdom to choose.

Those of you who have children must seek to bring them up to the best of ability, to meet challenges that, like Anne and Joachim, we have no way of even imagining.

When I was a kid, my father always asked for the church key, when he wanted to open a can or bottle of beer. There were no twist tops, or tab tops then. A church key is a can or bottle opener usually having a triangular head. They exist today but you really have to hunt for one. Where am I going with this one?

Yesterday, I had a craving for a cold beer. Barrilito is my favorite here in Merida. Its small, only about 10 ounces a bottle which is just enough for me. It comes in a short stubby bottle, with a very pale straw color with a grainy, malty sweet smell with the ever so slightest hint of hops. Its taste is smooth, sweet, with a bit of a European pilsener finish to the flavor that adds a bit of interest. Not impressive but tasty for a cold Mexican beer in the tropics. Definitely better than Tecate or other typical swill! Oh, back to the Church key!

It had no twist top, and I couldn’t find the Church Key. I looked and looked all over the kitchen for the opener, but alas, none to find. So back in the refrigerator it went, and iced tea became my drink of choice, until this morning.

Today was the day for the fumigator to come [he comes every two months]. I prefer him because he uses a biodegradable solution made from “natural” ingredients…..so he assures me. You can spray on anything, and not become ill. However, just in case, I always wash any dish or utensil I uses after he sprays. He charges me $39.00 USD every other month.

I opened a cupboard for him to spray, and there was a plastic container where I keep small kitchen items. I “knew” what was in it, because I opened it yesterday. But today, I opened it again for some reason, and there was that elusive church key. I am having a beer this afternoon.

Tonight is La Vaquería which is held every Monday night. It is traditional Yucatecan music and dance and is located downtown, facing the Palacio Municipal on Calle 62 x 61 y 63, Centro. It starts at 9 pm and is free.