Mary’s Birth, Our Salvation

Come September 8, and it’s time to celebrate the birthday of our Beloved Mother Mary. With her birth dawned the day of our salvation as the church rightly says: “Thy birth, O virgin Mother of God, has brought joy to the world, for from thee is to come forth the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord… to dispel the curse and bring forth the blessing…”. Truly, for so highly favoured a person, so pure, filled with grace, chosen and set apart to accomplish God’s plan of redemption, the earth and creation resounds with her praises.

Anne and Joachim, the parents of our Blessed Mother were of royal lineage. Their child, Mary had every reason to be proud of her illustrious ancestry but instead she learned from her ancestors that temporal greatness, success, wealth and glory were dangerous to virtue, so she embraced poverty, retirement and work. Joachim was known for the mildness and fortitude of his character and Anne was noted for her meekness, continence and chastity. The example of her parents was the best catechism and the truest mission of their family.

Mary was the masterpiece of God’s creation. She was a paragon of virtues in the highest degree because of her faithful cooperation with God’s will. She lived in constant communion with God, undisturbed by evil inclinations and temptations. What an example she is to each one of us! In the dark night of sin, Mary will be our Guiding Light, if we have recourse to her.

According to St. Alphonsus, the name Mary was given to the Mother of God by divine command. It was becoming that Mary the most perfect, the purest and most exalted of all created beings should receive a most holy, lovely and powerful name. it is rich in grace and blessings. The name inspires hope in God’s mercy, pardon and grace.

God chose young Mary, to bear his Son, Jesus, the Hope of our salvation.it was a challenge to her virginity but she surmounted it with her grace-filled heart which was always attentive to God’s will. As Jesus grew up there were a myriad challenges that she grappled with her serene countenance and staunch belief in God’s unfailing grace. The challenges reached a climax as she stood firm at the foot of the cross to fulfill God’s plan for a fallen world.

Mary today stands by you and me as Mother of God and Mother of us all. Her maternal heart hears our whispered prayers and takes them all to Jesus, who refuses his Mother nothing. How privileged we are to call upon such a Mother and go to Jesus through Mary!

In this Year of Prayer let us frequently call on our Mother to come to our aid in times of distress. Let us not forget to give God praise for his marvellous creation of Mary and also thank him for gifting her to us. She stretches out her hands to lift us up to Jesus as soon as we call upon her.  Let us remember to gift ourselves to her as we wish her, Happy Birthday Mamma Mary.