Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of
the Birthday (Nativity) of the Blessed Virgin Mary (08th September,
2017) on the Gospel and the Feast
Mic 5:1-4 or Rom 8:28-30;
Ps 12:6-7. (R. Is 61:10);
Matt 1:1-16.18-23 or Matt 1:18-23.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the
birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The earliest known account of Mary's birth is
found in the Protoevangelium of
James (5:2), an apocryphal text from the late second century, with her parents
known as Saint Anne and Saint Joachim. Saint John the Baptist and the Blessed
Virgin Mary are the two saints whose birthdays are commemorated because of the
singular mission each had in the salvation history.[1]
This feast started about the sixth century and is venerated in Roman Catholic
Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Some Oriental Orthodox Churches, and Anglican
Communion.[2]
Topic: Celebrating birthdays.
Today’s gospel is on the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matt 1:1-16) and also how His birth
took place, (Matt 1:18-23). Mary was
found to be with child from the Holy Spirit when she had been engaged to Saint
Joseph, but before they lived together. Joseph had decided to dismiss her
quietly to save her public disgrace when the angel of the Lord told him not to
do so and cleared his doubts. All these fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah,
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him
Emmanuel” (cf. Is 7:14).
During birthdays, one of the prayers for the celebrants is
for many more years. The Psalmist hints, “Which of you desires life, and covet
many days to enjoy good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from
speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Ps 34:12-14).
Jesus asks, “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the
whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his
life?” (Matt 16:26) The book of
Proverbs reads, “The wise man's path leads upward to life, that he may avoid
Sheol beneath” (Prov 15:24; cf. Pr 14:27.
19:23). And whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and
honour, cf. Prov 21:21.
As we noted in the background, we celebrate Blessed Virgin
Mary’s birthday today because of the role she played in our salvation history.
It is important to consider every moment of our lives what we have offered to
the world, cf. Eccl 6:3. It is the
outcome that makes one’s life either worth celebrating or regretting, cf. Eccl 7:1. Our lives are like mist that
appears for a little time and then vanishes, cf. Jas 4:14; Ps 39:4. We conclude with Saint Paul, “godliness is of
value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the
life to come” (1Tim 4:8). Let us
therefore live lives worth celebrating, cf. Eph 4:1.
Bible Reading: Prov 19:1-29.
Thought for today: Live life worth celebrating.
Let us pray: May God help us live lives good
enough to be celebrated – Amen.
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with others if you consider it worthy.
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