Micah 5:2-5a,
Romans 8:28-30,
Matthew 1:1-16.18-23 Full Readings
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Happy birthday Mother Mary
Today’s feast originated in Jerusalem towards the end of the fifth century. With the whole Church we honour Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was chosen in a special way to be the handmaid of the Lord and to play an important part in the history of salvation and in the mystery of our redemption.
It is said that there are two days in the life of every person that are the most important: the day we are born and the day we discover why. Today, we remember the birth of an important figure in the history of salvation: Mary the mother of our saviour. Though there is no record of the day she was born, the Church has set today aside for her birthday. Today we give thanks for her life and her life and her selfless service in the plan of salvation. She remains a model of how faith is experienced and expressed. What we remember of Mary’s life was her loving obedience to the will of God. If our faith must shine out like hers, we need to follow in her footsteps even as she strives to lead us to her son. Happy Birthday, darling Heavenly Mum!
Immaculately Conceived: The feast of Mother Mary’s birth is celebrated exactly nine months after the church celebrates her Immaculate Conception on December 8. We know that Mary’s parents, Anna and Joachim, prayed fervently for a child and recognized her special holiness from birth (Protoevangelium of James, an apocryphal gospel written about A.D. 150). St. Augustine had these beautiful words to say about Mary: “He knew his mother in predestination, even before he was born of her; even before, as God, he created her of whom, as man, he was to be created, he knew her as his mother” (Trac. In Iohanem 8,9). The angel Gabriel confirmed that the Blessed Mother was highly favored (see Luke 1:28). Mary’s beauty and purity suited her exalted mission. We, too, have been given gifts and talents to fulfill our very specific unrepeatable mission. When Mary completed her earthly mission, she was named “Queen of Heaven.” May we one day join Our Blessed Mother as we hear her Son say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant...Come, share your master’s joy” (Matthew 25:21).
2. Jesus’s Birth: We celebrate Mary’s birthday because Mary’s “yes” brought Our Savior into the world. Every millisecond of Mary’s life was consecrated—given over to her spouse, the Holy Spirit, for the good of mankind. She willingly gave birth, nursed, nurtured, and perfectly loved her Son from infancy to the foot of the cross to the throne of heaven. No other human loved like Mary did, and no one suffered as much. We can turn to her for help with every aspect of our relationships, knowing that she understands us and takes our prayers straight to her Son.
3. Our Mother: Jesus knew full well the beauty and perfection of his mother Mary, and his desire, as he hung on the cross, was to give her to us (see John 19:26-27). What a glorious parting gift our Savior gave us through St. John. Mother Mary now mediates between mankind and God, appearing in Fatima, Lourdes, etc., to encourage and correct her children. She weeps for us, prays for us, gives us graces she has obtained from her Son and accompanies us while we strive to make our way through life. With full hearts, we thank God for this blessed feast day—the birth of our mother, Mary.
Let us Pray
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
May our Mother pray for us.
Be blessed
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