MONDAY OF THE 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Celebration: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Church, in keeping a solemn feast for the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrates the dawning of the Redemption over the world when, after a long period of waiting, she who was to be the Mother of our Savior was born. The Blessed Virgin occupies a unique place in the history of salvation. Heaven rejoices at her birth. The Lord reserves for her the highest mission ever commended to any creature. We rejoice in the certainty that the Mother of God is our Mother too.
Liturgical Colour: White
Table of the Word
First Reading: Micah 5:1–4a or Romans 8:28
Gospel: Matthew 1:1–16, 18–23
Theme: Mary’s Birth: The Dawn of Our Salvation.
And the Lord Whispers: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel” (Matthew 1:23).
Reflection
Today, the Church pauses to celebrate the nativity or birth of Mary, the dawn that heralded the rising Sun of Justice. In her nativity, we see God’s whisper of hope to a weary humanity: the one chosen to bear the Saviour has entered the world.
Mary’s birth reminds us that God works through simple beginnings. Just as her hidden life in Nazareth prepared her for her divine mission, so too our hidden faithfulness can become part of God’s greater plan. The whisper here is that nothing in our story is wasted every step is woven into salvation history. In Mary's birth God began the story of His nearness to us.
In the light of this, St. Paul in the first reading avers: “Those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). Here Mary is the first and fullest realization of this truth, predestined to be the Mother of God and our Mother. This is in line with the prophecy of Micah who says: "From you shall come forth one who is to rule in Israel…" (Micah 5:1–4a ).
The Catechism further affirms that: “The Father of mercies willed that the Incarnation should be preceded by the acceptance of her who was predestined to be the mother of His Son” (CCC 488). Thus, Mary’s nativity is not just a birthday but the unfolding of salvation itself.
The Church Fathers call her birth “the beginning of salvation and the fountainhead of grace.” In celebrating her, we celebrate Christ, for all of Mary’s greatness points to Him.
Beloved in Christ, this great event in human history draws our attention to trust in God’s timing as Joachim and Ann (the parents of our blessed) who waited upon the Lord before this great day.
It is also a celebration of life as a gift, and inspiration to the virtue of humility. For greatness begins in littleness when surrendered to God.
Finnally, the Lord out of lovevamd mercy at every point in time gently whispers to us: "Trust Me, for I make wonders blossom from small beginnings,and I am with you always.”
+ Peace be with you.
© ARCHIVE 08092025
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