“Joachim and Ann, how blessed a couple! All creation is indebted to you. For at your hands the Creator was offered a gift excelling all other gifts: a chaste mother, who alone was worthy of him. And so rejoice, Ann, that you were sterile and have not borne children; break forth into shouts, you who have not given birth. Rejoice, Joachim, because from your daughter a child is born for us, a son is given us, whose name is Messenger of great counsel and universal salvation, mighty God. For this child is God.” St. John Damascene

They cooperated with God without knowing their role in the plan of Salvation. They waited upon the Lord for his timing in giving birth to a child, whom they saw as ordinary, but in heaven learned the truth of their daughter. How could they know that Mary would be the Mother of the long awaited Savior, promised by God? How could they know that the child born of Mary will be their Savior? They were simple, unknown, faithful, lowly followers of God. Yet, they are remembered and honored, because of what God did through them. We may never see the fruit of our labors, but all done in and for God will resound into eternity.