Apart from the names that tradition has given us, we know nothing about the parents of Mary. But perhaps we could say to Mary what a woman once said to Jesus: "Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts you have sucked!" In other words, such a wonderful person as Mary must owe something of her character to her parents just as some of the qualities of Jesus surely came from His early family life with Joseph and Mary. As the Gospel also says, a good tree will not bear bad fruit nor a bad tree good fruit. Let us thank Joachim and Ann for the gift of Mary to the world, as we thank Mary too for her gift of Jesus and helping to form Him into the wonderful person who is the Lord and Guide of our life. And perhaps today too is an opportunity for us to express our thanks to our parents and to pray for them. And, if I am a parent, let me ask guidance from the parents of both Mary and Jesus. And, if I am a son or daughter, let me give to my parents the love and esteem they need.