Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. What a wonderful day to honor her, and to pray in gratitude for the “generous yes” that she offered to God in becoming the mother of our Savior Jesus Christ. Mary was born for that extraordinary purpose, a purpose like no other human being has ever enjoyed. And yet, as I celebrate her birth today, I’m mindful of how uniquely special and purposeful each of our lives are, and how God has known and called each of us from birth to play an important role in the Body of Christ. Today, may each of us offer or renew our own generous yes to God, surrendering afresh to God’s plans and purposes for our lives. Let us ask our Mother to intercede for us that we might receive the graces we need and have courage, as she did, to humbly pursue God’s call.
Our first reading from the Prophet Micah heralds the birth of the Messiah and references the mother who will bear him. It’s mind-blowing, isn’t it, that we have so many messianic prophecies that were uttered centuries before the birth of Christ! God had Mary in mind, too, when God spoke through Micah. It’s almost equally mind-blowing that God knows each one of us so completely and intimately and has in mind a place for us in salvation history. Consider God’s call to the Prophet Jeremiah. The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:4-5). Even though God’s words here are uniquely Jeremiah’s, I believe we also share this kind of intimacy with God. I would dare say that before you, before I, were formed in the womb, God knew us and set us apart for a unique and special purpose.
Esther was a godly woman whom the Lord used mightily to deliver her people. At a pivotal point in her journey, she received this wise counsel, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-15). Esther’s birth was not coincidental. Even from birth, God had a plan in mind for her. Could it be that, like Esther, you and I are living in a moment that could be described as “such a time as this?” This is our generation. How are we to bless, serve, preach, care, promote justice, love, teach, minister to this generation? If we don’t stand up and fulfill our purpose, who will?
For what purpose were you born? What role do you play in the Body of Christ? To what is God calling you for such a time as this? As we celebrate the nativity of our Blessed Mother today, let us look to her example and remain in prayer with her throughout the day. She loves and longs to bring God’s children to her Son and to his plans and purposes. If we’re not sure of God’s plan and purpose for our lives, we can be assured of her intercession. Don’t give up seeking; you’ll find your answer in due season. And let us always be ready to give a generous yes to whatever God invites us to, confident that God promises to be with us always. Let’s pray for each other today in hope and joy. Yes and amen!
Elizabeth Wourms