Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.” (Lk. 2: 37)
Generational wealth is the financial assets and resources passed down from one generation to the next in a family. For this reflection, generational wealth is the legacy of spiritual richness, deep faith, and a close relationship with Jesus. These are the assets and resources our ancestors left us —-- far better than any financial gain.
In today’s Scripture, Mary takes Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord. According to the law, she must render two turtledoves or two young pigeons because she cannot afford the required expensive lamb. Mary was poor financially, but oh, the generational wealth in her heart, knowing that she is the Mother of Our Savior!
There, also in the temple, is Anna, 84 years old, worshipping and praising the Lord day and night, persistent and unwavering. Praise the Lord! Somewhere, somebody handed down some powerful spiritual generational wealth to this elder-sister. Hallelujah!
At 86 years of age, I am now the matriarch of my family, with my mother’s passage to The Great Cloud of Witnesses in October. I have big shoes to fill, but I am ready for this role. I have been blessed with a big dose of generational wealth from the legacy of four holy women of God: my great-great-grandmother (Big Mama), great-grandmother (Mame), grandmother (Nana), and mom (Ma Bea).
With my birth 86 years ago, our family was blessed with five generations. Although it is not in my memory bank, my mother often talked about their grand celebration on the Sunday of my baptism. That was the day Ma Bea and Daddy Joe presented me to the Lord---the inauguration of my generational wealth!
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Mary Batsen (Great GreatGrandmother) | Edna Booth (Grandmother) | Beatrice Smith (Mom) |
I was nurtured spiritually by women who were passionate witnesses of faith. They emulated the spirit and persistence of Anna in today’s Scripture. My holy women of God have certainly left their mark upon me. When the music liturgy stirs my soul at Mass, I will stand and raise my hand in praise, just as Ma Bea did. When I am on a visit to the sick and shut-in, it is the spirit of my grandmother who sat beside the bedside of many residents in the Fourth Ward in Annapolis. When I am consoling a family member with affirming words of faith, “Don’t worry, child. The Lord will provide.” My great grandma Mame stands out in my memory as one who comforted her flock as she sat in her rocking chair. Oh, and my memory of my great-great-grandmother. Sitting at the head of the table with two thick shoulder-length snow-white braids, she was a true matriarchal figure! Although blind in sight, Big Mama had a vision of generational wealth when she uttered upon our departure, “Y’all be good. I’m praying for you.”
The common significance among my beloved ancestors was that they were all prayer warriors. When Nana sat in her chair and hummed, “Blessed Assurance,” I knew she was praying. When Mame’s lips moved in silence with her eyes closed, I knew she was praying. And when the Grand Matriarch, Big Mama, said, “I’ll pray for you,” that was the legacy of generational wealth!
My sisters and brothers, it is more important than ever for Black families to ensure spiritual generational wealth for our children. It is a necessary legacy for them to combat the current forces that are trying to take away all aspects of our culture, including our worship style! The National Prayer Day for American and African Families is a reminder of our mission.
Pay attention, all who dwell in the land!
Has anything ever happened in your life, or in the lifetime of your ancestors?
Report it to your children. Have your children report it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1: 1-3)
Author: Burma S. Hill is a parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Largo, Maryland, where she is an active member of several ministries. She is a past president of Sisters in the Spirit and its current chaplain and an active member of the Washington, DC, Cursillo movement.
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Thank you for sharing your generational wealth with us.
Blessings