Micah 5:1-4, Psalm 13; Matthew 1:1-6, 18-23
Today the Church celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on its traditional fixed date of September 8, nine months after the December 8 celebration of her Immaculate Conception as the child of Saints Joachim and Anne. Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s birth. However, the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James remains a reliable authority in this regard. According to this account, Anna and Joachim are infertile but pray for a child. They receive the promise of a child who will advance God’s plan of salvation for the world as given in the prophecy of Micah. He shall feed his flock, ensure they are secure and he will be great to the ends of the earth.
Saint Augustine connects Mary’s birth with Jesus’ saving work. He tells the earth to rejoice and shine forth in the light of her birth. “She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley. Through her birth the nature inherited from our first parents is changed.” Therefore, we can say that every human birth is a call for new hope in the world. The genealogy in the gospel is a clear expression of this hope in the world. As we celebrate Mary birth today, may we be filled with new hope in God’s plan for the salvation of the world. May we also realize that our birth is a call to make Christ present in the world. Lastly, may we find grace to accept children lovingly from without altering their right to life. God bless you.
Let us pray
Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen
