08 September 2012

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today the Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The assigned readings are Micah 5:1-4 and Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23. The Responsorial Psalm is from Isaiah 13 (Isaiah 13:6):

“Though I trusted in your mercy, let my heart rejoice in your salvation. Let me sing of the LORD, ‘He has been good to me.’”

The Gospel reading contains the genealogy of Jesus and continues as follows:

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means "God is with us."

Happy birthday, Mother Mary!

Reflection on this celebration:

Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute: Meditation on the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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