GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 8TH SEPTEMBER 2017
THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
FIRST READING: Micah 5:1-4 OR Romans 8:28-30
PSALM: Psalm 13:6
GOSPEL: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23
THEME: CELEBRATING WOMANHOOD
Fruits do not fall from the sky unto our tables for consumption. A tree must first hold and nourish a fruit for weeks and months for it to mature and ripe. If the fruit of a tree is good, you do not destroy the tree; on the contrary, you would show honour and respect by the care you give it.
A portion of the Hail Holy Queen prayer addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary reads: “…show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus”. Mary, by cooperating with the grace of God, has offered to the world a fruit – Jesus Christ. The fruit of Eve brought death but the fruit of Mary has brought life. Consequently, she is worth celebrating. To celebrate the birthday of a person is basically to appreciate the life of that person and to thank God for such a gift to our world.
Joseph had found out that Mary was carrying a baby that he (Joseph) had no hand in it. He was seriously contemplating on washing his hands off Mary when an angel of the Lord addressed him in these words: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:20-21). In sum, the angel told Joseph that Mary – a woman – had been chosen by the Holy Spirit to bring forth into the world the one destined to save humanity.
In the person and life of Mary, we catch a glimpse of the true sense of womanhood. As one ponders over her story, without any denominational prejudices, one comes to a deeper understanding of the Creator’s intention when he formed woman in His image and likeness. A woman was created to be a vessel of purity and honour. A woman is an agent of life – bringing forth and sustaining life itself.
Mary is a gift to all generations and we need to celebrate this gift as we thank God for her life. Happy birthday Mother Mary!
Prayer: Eternal Father, I thank you for the gift of Mary, a woman ever docile to the promptings of your Spirit. Through her intercession may my faith in your Son Jesus Christ deepen and bear abundant fruits. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen)