8 September 2023 - Only By Grace Reflections
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TOPIC: DO WE TRUST GOD TO DO AMAZING DEEDS THROUGH US?
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First Reading: Micah 5: 1-4a or Romans 8: 28-30
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 13: 6ab, 6c
Gospel: Matthew 1: 1-16, 18-23
Today, September 8, is a very important day in the Catholic Church, as we celebrate the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast has been observed since at least the sixth century. On this day, we honor and celebrate the blessed Mother’s central role in the redemption of the world.
The genealogy presented in today’s Gospel begins with the words: “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.” It indicates that no event in the history of salvation is a stand-alone event. Every event as with every birth, is linked to everything else within God’s grand design. The Blessed Mother Mary’s birth is thus integrally linked to everything that has gone before and come after.
Matthew details the story of the Blessed Virgin’s betrothal to Joseph and the appearance of the angel announcing that she would bear a child. Blessed Mary must have had a steadfast faith and trusting relationship with God long before the angel appeared to her and announced the good news, because she accepted the angel’s announcement without hesitation, even knowing the impossibility of it all because she was a virgin.
Mama Mary is a model for us. She knew and trusted God. She was willing to place herself in a very awkward position when she responded to God’s call to bear God’s son. She did not know how this would come about nor did she know what her future would be, but she did not hesitate in her response to the angel. She simply said: “Let it be done to me according to thy word.”
This is the 1232nd installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.
[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong
