Ann of Mi' kmaw spirituality

The explanation of the parable as the technique Jesus uses to teach precedes the text chosen today for the Roman Catholic Lectionary (Canada) from the Gospel of Matthew. The difficulty we have to see what is before us and hear the meaning in the message can be diminished as we use parables to give us framework to shape our reflection. The reflections of the Book of Sirach, which praise the contribution of the faith experience of our ancestors in living in relationship with God, are particularly apt for the spiritual history of the Mi’kmaw people in Nova Scotia. The development of a deep devotion to Saint Ann, mother of Mary, is evidenced in the many churches and holy places bearing her name in Mi’kmaw territory. The special importance of the grandmother in Mi’kmaw culture shows a praise and respect similar to that presented by Sirach. Many of the residents of Atlantic Canada whose ancestors came from Europe many generations ago, ironically, owe the survival of their family tree in the New World to survival techniques in the Canadian winter learned from the Mi’kmaw. The Roman Catholic Church today commemorates the parents of Mary, (grandparents of Jesus) Joachim and Ann. Grandparents today are gifted with an opportunity to experience the exchange of love and hope which is a unique component of this relationship. The faith journey is the human experience. The grandparent and the grandchild both offer valuable insight into the things we often have difficulty seeing and the words we too often do not hear.