[Salvation]

Man’s Role in God’s Providence

• Homily of the Day
• September 8th, 2012
• Food For Thought

Saturday, September 8, 2012 by Food for Thought

BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

FirstReading: Mi 5:1-4a Or: Rom 8:28-30
Psalm: Ps 13:6ab, 6c
Gospel: Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 Or: Mt 1:18-23

The introduction for today’s celebration in the Roman Missal writes: “The Church, in keeping a solemn feast for the birthday of the BlessedVirgin Mary, celebrates the dawning of the  Redemption over the world when, after a long period of waiting, she who was to be the Mother of
our Savior was born. The Blessed Virgin occupies a unique place in the history of salvation. Heaven rejoices at her birth. The Lord reserves for her the highest mission ever commended to any creature. We rejoice in the certainty that the Mother of God is our Mother too.”

God had already planned in advance our salvation from imminent “death.” Just as Mary had been chosen before her birth to be the Mother of God, God also prepares for the salvation of all people: “I knew you even before you were born.” Today’s feast helps us be aware of that preparation and our response to it. We are not merely recipients of salvation; like Mary, we are also transmitters. The Gospel presents to us the genealogy of Jesus. As we look deeper into the stories of each and every one of Jesus’ human ancestors, which includes Abraham and David, we see how God prepares and delivers his people, preserving the transmittal until his final plan would be realized. With this in mind, we are all encouraged to pursue and live out Christ’s love because that is what God had meant for us to be.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Saturday, September 8, 2012 >>

Birth of Mary

Micah 5:1-4 or
Romans 8:28-30
View Readings

Psalm 13:6

Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

BIRTHDAY BREAKTHROUGHS

"The Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne." —Micah 5:2

 

Sometimes we feel as if the Lord has given us up to our enemies and given up on us. We feel depressed, almost in despair, but the Lord promises to make "all things work together for the good" (Rm 8:28). The time when the tide is about to turn is "when she who is to give birth has borne." Jesus' Incarnation and Mary's motherhood are a sign that God's grace is about to break through even in impossible circumstances. This was the sign promised Ahaz when his kingdom was in a desperate situation. Isaiah prophesied to Ahaz: "The Lord Himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and shall name Him Immanuel" (Is 7:14).

How do you know your life will truly be transformed by God? How do you know that I'm not just trying to make you feel better with groundless good wishes? How do you know when the Lord will rescue you? If you deeply celebrate Mary's birthday, you will enter into the mystery of her motherhood and of Jesus' Incarnation. This will be a sign that the Lord will soon change your "mourning into dancing" (Ps 30:12). Consequently, today is a happy birthday not only for Mary, but for all who celebrate with her.

 

Prayer: Father, through Mary's ministry, enlighten my innermost vision that I may know the great hope to which I have been called (Eph 1:18).

Promise: "The virgin shall be with Child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call Him Emmanuel, a name which means 'God is with us.' " —Mt 1:23

Praise: Praise You, O God, for sending forth your Son, born of Mary, to deliver us to our status as Your adopted sons and daughters.