BORN TO BE THE MOTHER OF GOD AND OUR MOTHER - 9/8/22 (Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Matthew 1:23

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel.”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090822.cfm

Blessed Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Today, we are commemorating the birth of our Mother Mary. When a human being is born, their parents are so glad, and they may have great plans for their children. It's also true that we are born with a mission and plan from God with the purpose of us being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ in a particular way. In the Church, we only celebrate the birth of three persons, Jesus, Mary and St. John the Baptist, and remembering the day of their birth signifies their importance in salvation history. We can really see this in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

It's interesting that the gospel reading for the birth of Mary is about the birth of Jesus, the coming of God the Son here on earth. And yet, the birth of our Lord is inseparable from the birth of Mary. Its because from the very beginning, God chose the Blessed Virgin Mary and predestined her to be the Mother of Jesus, to be the Mother of God. God could choose not to become a Man, and He could simply make everyone hear His voice in heaven. But, because of His goodness and love for us and for Mary, He chose her to be the instrument of His humanity and important instrument for salvation. God is truly with us. We can feel His presence, and we have the hope of eternal life because of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. We can receive the real presence of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist where God the Son physically dwells within the temples of our bodies in the Holy Communion. All of this became possible because God chose Mary to be the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ is our spiritual brother. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. This also means that Mary is the spiritual mother of all. God did not just desire for her to be the Mother of Jesus, but He also wanted her to be our Mother. In the gospel reading, at first, St. Joseph was afraid to take Mary into her home as his wife. He wanted to be separated from her, not because he suspected her of doing something wrong. St. Joseph was a righteous man, and he could not think like that of our Mother. But, because of his humility, he realized his unworthiness to be near the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through the revelation from the angel, the fear of St. Joseph was no longer present, and he took her into his home. We have many fears in this life. We may be afraid of the future because of the sufferings we may receive. We may be afraid that we will always fall to pride and to worldly attachments. Some people are even afraid to be devoted to our Mother Mary because of the fear that this would keep us far from Jesus. The truth is that Jesus wants us to take Mary into our own life. She will help us with our fears, especially as we ask her help and pray the rosary. All she desires is to bring us closer to Jesus just as how St. Joseph became closer to our Lord because of her. The Blessed Virgin Mary is both the Mother of God and our Mother. Her birth was the dawn of our salvation. She will bring us closer to lasting peace in Jesus, the Prince of Peace. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

Amazing Testimony on Rosary:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=FFyRwJBExMk

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/