Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Wednesday 8th September, 2021 September 8, 2021
Reflection on the WORD
Mary, Mother of Emmanuel: In today’s Gospel episode, God’s Plan of Salvation was fulfilled through Mary’s fidelity to the Father’s Will. She give birth to Jesus, the Messiah, through the Holy Spirit. Ponder on, “Mary is God’s most precious, humble and faithful servant. Do we relate to her as our dearest Mother with love?”
Matthew 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 a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally.
He had made up his mind to do this when 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 the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call Emmanuel, 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?