September 8, 2009
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Beth DeCristofaro
…the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:20-23)
Piety
Bestow upon Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of Thy heavenly grace: that as the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of our salvation, so the solemn feast of her Nativity may bring us an increase of peace. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal
Study
It’s not often that I stop to think about my mother’s birth. She was once a wrinkly and adorable bundle, most likely held, squeezed and spoiled just like she later cuddled me. Just like Mary. Just like Mary’s son. There is a lovely thread of precious humanness, a link between my mom – who, after Mary, is the greatest mom in the world, by the way – and me and our Blessed Lady and our Lord Jesus.
Most often I think of what “mother” means in my own mother. She knew joyful anticipation mixed with uncertainty and perhaps fear as she lived through six pregnancies. She discovered new sources and depths of pain first in childbirth but then in realizing her own inadequacies and seeing her children take unnecessary risks or be disobedient. She experienced unlooked for anguish at the death of her third child, my younger brother. She found new strengths as she shepherded all of us through school and activities, balancing a budget on a school teacher’s salary while working part time.
And her specialties included always having enough food to feed all the friends who descended on the house at a moments notice. She was able to bite her tongue and hold her tears back as I left home for a year of college in far off, unknown France. She never threw out my brothers as their personal struggles were often aimed at her and dad. Her loyalty kept them sane and helped forward their healing, I am sure. She always opens her house to us and to myriad of friends and co-workers who have become her family. She has always exhibited deep courage as she nursed many people, watching as some were cured but losing many others.
In considering my mother as baby and woman I can appreciate the awesome presence of God in our humanity. In our Lady, scholars remind us that we can welcome the beginning of our salvation.
Action
Take the time to thank your mother, or those who have been mothers to you, today for her awesomeness. Ask the blessing of our Lady upon them.
