Celebrating the Birthday of the Blessed Vurgin Mary

 Micah 5:1-4, Mt. 1:1-16.18-23. Today, we celebrate the birthday of Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. What wonders God brought to humanity by this birth. We exult on the Blessed Mother's birthday just as family, friends and neighbours delight in the birth of a newborn child. Today's Gospel presents us with the genealogy of Jesus to affirm the fundamental truth that Jesus is God, but having the nature of man. Through baptism, we become adopted children of God and so share in His threefold ministry: Prophet, Priest and King. Thus, we belong to the spiritual genealogy of Christ and accept God as our Father and Jesus as our Brother and Redeemer.

Mary is greatly honoured today because she greatly collaborated with God to make this genealogy a complete history. By her positive response: "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your Word," Mary surrendered herself to God and offered her total availability to God. This action presents Mary as a radical lover of God and a faithful disciple. A disciple is one who receives the Lord, lives in Him, is rooted and built up in Him and grounded in faith. Mary exemplified all these in her life; that is why she continues to be a model to all true disciples. As true disciples we are challenged to throw ourselves to the designs of God and His service.

May the Lord listen to our plea and may Mary help us so that no petition of ours go unattended to and our request never be in vain! Amen!! Good morning and happy weekend!!