Posted on 09/07/2006 11:32:47 PM PDT by Salvation
| BIRTH OF MARY September 8th |
| A. Valentini |
| The present Feast forms a link between the New and the Old Testament. It shows that Truth succeeds symbols and figures and that the New Covenant replaces the Old. Hence, all creation sings with joy, exults, and participates in the joy of this day.... This is, in fact, the day on which the Creator of the world constructed His temple; today is the day on which by a stupendous project a creature becomes the preferred dwelling of the Creator" (Saint Andrew of Crete). "Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Virgin Mary, of whom was born the Sun of Justice.... Her birth constitutes the hope and the light of salvation for the whole world.... Her image is light for the whole Christian people" (From the Liturgy). As these texts so clearly indicate, an atmosphere of joy and light pervades the Birth of the Virgin Mary.
1. Historical Details about the Feast The origin of this Feast is sought in Palestine. It goes back to the consecration of a church in Jerusalem, which tradition identifies as that of the present basilica of St. Ann. At Rome the Feast began to be kept toward the end of the 7th century, brought there by Eastern monks. Gradually and in varied ways it spread to the other parts of the West in the centuries that followed. From the 13th century on, the celebration assumed notable importance, becoming a Solemnity with a major Octave and preceded by a Vigil calling for a fast. The Octave was reduced to a simple one during the reform of St. Pius X and was abolished altogether under the reform of Pius XII in 1955. The present Calendar characterizes the Birth of Mary as a "Feast," placing it on the same plane as the Visitation. For some centuries now, the Birth has been assigned to September 8 both in the East and in the West, but in ancient times it was celebrated on different dates from place to place. However, when the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (which has a later origin than that of the Birth) was extended to the whole Church, the Birth little by little became assigned everywhere to September 8: nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
2. At the Heart of Salvation As we know, the Gospels have not transmitted to us anything about the birth of the Virgin Mary. Their attention is completely centered on the mystery of Christ and His salvific mission. The birth of Mary is recounted by the Protevangelium of James (5:2), an apocryphal writing from the end of the 2nd century. Subsequent tradition is based on this account. The description - although in the manner of an apocryphal document - obviously presents an important historical event: the birth of the Mother of the Lord. But the problem that concerns us here is the significance of this event. In the case of all the Saints, the Church commemorates their birthday on the day of their return to the Lord. However, in the cases of St. John the Baptizer and the Blessed Virgin, it also celebrates the day of their earthly birth. This is a singular fact already emphasized in ancient times, for example, by Paschasius Radbertus (d. about 859). The reason for this fact is not found primarily in the greatness or the privileges of the persons involved but in the singular mission that was theirs in the History of Salvation. In this light, the birth of the Blessed Virgin is considered to be - like that of John the Baptizer - in direct relationship with the coming of the Savior of the world. Thus, the birth and existence of Marysimilar to and even more than those of the Baptizer - take on a significance that transcends her own person. It is explained solely in the context of the History of Salvation, connected with the People of God of the Old Covenant and the New. Mary's birth lies at the confluence of the two Testaments - bringing to an end the stage of expectation and the promises and inaugurating the new times of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ. Mary, the Daughter of Zion and ideal personification of Israel, is the last and most worthy representative of the People of the Old Covenant but at the same time she is "the hope and the dawn of the whole world." With her, the elevated Daughter of Zion, after a long expectation of the promises, the times are fulfilled and a new economy is established (LG 55). The birth of Mary is ordained in particular toward her mission as Mother of the Savior. Her existence is indissolubly connected with that of Christ: it partakes of a unique plan of predestination and grace. God's mysterious plan regarding the incarnation of the Word embraces also the Virgin who is His Mother. In this way, the Birth of Mary is inserted at the very heart of the History of Salvation.
3. Christological Orientations The Biblical readings of the Feast have a clear Christological- salvific orientation that forms the backdrop for contemplating the figure of Mary. Micah 5:1-4a. The Prophet announces the coming of the Lord of Israel who will come forth from Bethlehem of Judah. The Mother of the Messiah, presented as one about to give birth, will give life to the prince and pastor of the house of David who will bring justice and peace. She will work with the Messiah to bring forth a new people. Romans 8.28-30. This passage does not speak directly about Mary but about the believer justified by the grace of Christ and gifted with the indwelling of the Spirit. He or she has been chosen and called from all eternity to share Christ's life and glory. This is true in a privileged manner for Mary, Spouse and Temple of the Holy Spirit, Mother of God's Son, and intimately united with Him in a Divine plan of predestination and grace. Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23. The meaning of this seemingly and genealogy is theologically profound: to place Jesus, the MessiahLord, within the dynastic tree of His people. He is a descendant, and in fact "the descendant," of Abraham (cf. Gal 3:16) and the Patriarchs in accord with the promises, and He is the semi-heir of the Prophets. The ring that united Christ with His people is Mary, Daughter of Zion and Mother of the Lord. The virginity stressed by the Gospel text is the sign of the Divine origin of the Son and of the absolute newness that now breaks forth in the history of human beings. The Christological-salvific purpose and tone dominate not only the Bible readings but also the Eucharistic Celebration and the Liturgy of the Hours. It has been observed that, although the texts of this Feast's celebration are less rich than those of other Marian feasts, they do have one outstanding characteristic: "The number of themes is rather restricted, [but] there are extremely numerous invitations to joy" (J. Pascher). Indeed, joy pervades the whole of this Feast's liturgy. If many "will rejoice" at the birth of the precursor (cf. Lk 1:14), a much greater joy is stirred up by the birth of the Mother of the Savior. Hence, this is a Feast that serves as a prelude to the "joy to all people" brought about by the Birth of the Son of God at Christmas and expressed by the singing of hymns and carols. Added to this theme of joy on this Marian Feast is that of light because with Mary's birth the darkness is dispersed and there rises in the world the dawn that announces the Sun of Justice, Christ the Lord. Taken from: |
|
Provided Courtesy of: |
-A8
Sorry. You need to refer to the Greek not to the English translation.
Lawsa mercy, child, puleeeeeeze give that needle of yours a bump or change the record already! We get the picture!
Hi Miss Maeve,
A happy birthday of Our Mother to you!
Reparation for Blasphemy Against the Blessed Virgin Mary
Most glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, turn thine eyes in pity upon us, miserable sinners; we are sore afflicted by the many evils that surround us in this life, but especially do we feel our hearts break within us upon hearing the dreadful insults and blasphemies uttered against thee, O Virgin Immaculate. O how these impious sayings offend the infinite Majesty of God and of His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ! How they provoke His indignation and give us cause to fear the terrible effects of His vengeance! Would that the sacrifice of our lives might avail to put an end to such outrages and blasphemies; were it so, how gladly we should make it, for we desire, O most holy Mother, to love thee and to honor thee with all our hearts, since this is the will of God. And just because we love thee, we will do all that is in our power to make thee honored and loved by all men. In the meantime do thou, our merciful Mother, the supreme comforter of the afflicted, accept this our act of reparation which we offer thee for ourselves and for all our families, as well as for all who impiously blaspheme thee, not knowing what they say. Do thou obtain for them from Almighty God the grace of conversion, and thus render more manifest and more glorious thy kindness, thy power and thy great mercy. May they join with us in proclaiming thee blessed among women, the Immaculate Virgin and most compassionate Mother of God.
Hail Mary three times.
Source: The Raccolta, 1950
And a happy birthday of Our Mother to you too, dear friend!
Well, we don't say she was God, so I dunno how that follows. Plus, all the prophets were clear that it was God working through them, not them doing it themselves.
(And I don't mean giving birth to God incarnate, that was not something she stood up and did, but was placed on her by God.)
Again, just like the Prophets...it was not her that was doing it but God doing it through her. But I wouldn't take Mary's will out of the equation either: remember..."Let it be done to me according to thy word." That's an assent, however you slice it. She could have said "no" as Jonah once did.
The Divine Praises
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.
Believe it or not...they are very good people..one is actually a pastor of a church in south carolina...another is extremely active in Calvary who is trying to get me to leave the Catholic Church...another is Jewish who just has all kinds of problems with the modern day church and says the faith is based on idols and icons....etc..but each of these people are actually very good and giving human beings....and another is a Southern Baptist who believes the church is a "dungeon of guilt".
They just love to take swipes on the Catholic religion and church at any given time.
 Our Lady's Nativitye |
| Joye in the risinge of our orient starr, That shall bringe forth the Sunne that lent her light; Joy in the peace that shall conclude our warr, And soone rebate the edge of Satan's spight; Load-starr of all engolfd in worldly waves, The card and compasse that from shipwracke saves. The patriark and prophettes were the floures For God, on Earth, she is the royall throne, Robert Southwell (1560-1595) |
How about this one?
James/John's mother: Lord, when you come into your kingdom let my sons sit on your right and left.
Jesus: What! Are you daft!! I don't have that right but if you asks my mother then I'll see what I can do.
Thank you for this beautiful post.
I was away for a while--(I do have a day job)
I have often thought, when meditating on the the Wedding Feast at Cana: Our Lord chose his Twelve. Then together with them and his mother, they went to the wedding. The Apostles and his Mother went with him to the wedding--what an important fact this is for us to remember. From Genesis to Revelation the Scriptures refer, either openly or obliquely, to the "Nuptials"--Christ and his Bride the Church. How fitting that He chose to work his first public miracle, making his first entry into his public life as Son and Messiah, at a wedding feast--with his Twelve and his mother.
Yea, God's little incubator.
God's glorious plan involves His Will to send His Son to die on the cross for just one, JUST ONE, sinner - as they will say.
Not that this plan was thought out in eternity as an integral whole that involves anything important like taking into account His whole humanity, including His conception and birth. Or His Mother for that matter.
Christ loved His Mother. To be a follower of Christ, best to do the same.
So according to the person you spoke with " Mary means nothing in spiritual and biblical terms" Yet at the same time he said " she was just "chosen" to give birth."
To buy his premise I would have to believe that God chooses in a random, unknowing, blinded and indifferent manner. He does in other words indeed play dice with the universe.
But the very assumption of your friends argument goes against what has been revealed to us in Scripture about the Nature of God. How can an all powerful, all knowing, all seeing God do anything randomly?
How can a loving God and father be indifferent to how He interacts with us? It also contradicts an idea central to Christian teaching. That our relationship with Christ is not only Corporate but Personal. We are called by name and Christ died for my sins and saves me. It is because of the love that God has for each and everyone of us that He came down from heaven and became man. This is not a God of random indifference. But a loving Father that knows His children and acts always for their good.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.