Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary September 8, 2018
Reflection on the WORD
‘'Life – Hope”: Today, we celebrate Mary’s birthday. Her existence is a special gift of God to the human race, for her to be the Mother of the Messiah. Ponder on, “What is God’s desires of me, while I am journeying in this world? How am I to serve in God’s Plan of Salvation?”
Mt 1:18-23
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally.
He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’
Now all this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: Look! the virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom they will call Immanuel, a name which means ‘God-is-with-us’.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Mary agreed to do God’s Will because she believed that God chose her to be the Mother of Jesus, the Saviour. In accepting God’s Will, she was not spared of any pain and suffering.
- Mary was the most precious of God’s creation because God “knew” that she would live her whole life in total obedience to His Will.
- How has God “chosen” you to live His will in your present life? When you face the “fair share” of your pains and trials, do you draw strength from asking Mary to pray for your needs?