Greetings on this the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 13:6ab, 6c; Mt 1:1-16, 18-23
Notes: Franciscan’s speak today.
Reflection
We can see every human birth as a call for new hope in the world. The love of two human beings has joined with God in his creative work. The loving parents have shown hope in a world filled with travail. The new child has the potential to be a channel of God’s love and peace to the world.
This is all true in a magnificent way in Mary. If Jesus is the perfect expression of God’s love, Mary is the foreshadowing of that love. If Jesus has brought the fullness of salvation, Mary is its dawning.
Birthday celebrations bring happiness to the celebrant as well as to family and friends. Next to the birth of Jesus, Mary’s birth offers the greatest possible happiness to the world. Each time we celebrate her birth, we can confidently hope for an increase of peace in our hearts and in the world at large.
Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/
First Reading
Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, And the rest of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.
Responsorial
With delight I rejoice in the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.
Gospel
The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry