The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast) Year A
Micah 5: 2-5a Mat. 1:1-16.18-23
Theme: Let us honour Mary
Today we celebrate the feast of the birth of the blessed virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. This feast we celebrate today, presents us an opportunity to honour our mother Mary, who willingly accepted the message of the Angel, and remained a worthy instrument in the hand of God until the end. She was a woman of faith, patience, and prayer. All these and more, is what made it possible for her to carry out her mission as the mother of Jesus Christ until the end. Even with the difficulties and challenges that they encountered from the birth of Jesus Christ, his going to calvary, death and resurrection. It takes one with a strong faith to go through all her experiences and remain faithful to her mission as the mother of Jesus.
As children of God and Christians in our own time, we have a lot to learn from our mother Mary. Her experiences and difficulties did not make her a bitter person or keep her away from God, rather it made her get closer to God, and she was not disappointed at the end. The way Mary managed the difficulties she encountered with her family is worthy of emulation. The search for a place to deliver her child, the words of Simeon at the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the flight to Egypt and so forth. It was as if they moved from one challenge to another, but all this did not affect her faith in God, or the ‘YES’ that she said to the Angels message; she remained steadfast. She never at any time opt to bring her mission to an end, because of all the stress and difficulties that was associated with her mission as the mother of Jesus.
In view of this, we are all encouraged today to emulate our mother Mary and be firm and resolute in faith, as we face the challenges and difficulties of life. Our patience and persistence in the mission given to us by God is very important, because this is what will lead us to victory at the end. Sometimes it can be very difficult and challenging, just like the case of our mother Mary, but giving up should never be an option. Let your faith be strengthened by the fact that you are not alone in your journey, our mother Mary is with you, God is with you, your patron saint is with you and your guardian Angel is with you. Always be conscious of their presence in your journey of faith, God will never shame you or disappoint you. The way may be tough and narrow, but he will always be there to lead you through it, just trust in him and have faith, as you do your best.
Lastly, give our mother Mary a gift today! May the Lord bless his words in our hearts in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.