BIRTHDAYS ARE CELEBRATION OF GOD’S PLAN FOR US ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Friday, 8^thSeptember 2017,

Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mic 5: 1-4 or Rom 8: 28-30;

Ps 13: 6;

Mt 1: 1-16, 18-23

BIRTHDAYS ARE CELEBRATION OF GOD’S PLAN FOR US

Mary our mother was conceived immaculate, born and lived sinless, and now she intercedes for our sake that no one of us may be lost. Today, we celebrate her birthday. Concerning today’s feast St Andrew of Crete says, “Let the whole creation sing praise and dance and unite to celebrate the glories of this day… For today, a shrine is built for the creator of the universe.”

Celebrating her birthday is a way of celebrating her personhood. We celebrate her simply for being herself. We do not necessarily focus in on any of the unique, beautiful and profound aspects of her life today. We do not necessarily look at all she accomplished, her perfect yes to God, her coronation in Heaven, her assumption or any other specifics. All parts of her life are glorious, beautiful, awe-inspiring and worthy of their own unique feasts and celebration.Today, however, we simply celebrate our Blessed Mother because she was created and brought into this world by God and that alone is worth celebrating. We honor her simply because we love her and we celebrate her birthday as we would celebrate the birthday of any one we love and care for. Mother Mary is our mother. She truly is our mother and it’s worth celebrating her birthday in the same way that we would celebrate anyone’s birthday who was a member of our family.

God had a plan for Mary. Mary was born as a shrine for the creator, and through her obedience she fulfilled the purpose for which she was born. Our own birth too was no mistake or mishap. God has a plan for us. As Mary fulfilled her purpose on earth, we need to discover the purpose of our life and be faithful to it.

Prayer: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.