Homily
for September 8, 2017
When it
comes to our devotion to Mary, Catholics are often accused of taking things too
far. If you have been a Catholic for a while one, I guess you must have been
challenged at least once or twice by non-Catholics about the importance given
to Mary in our Christian worship.
Well, the
truth remains that God honoured a woman right from birth, God so designed it
that because of the role this woman would play in the coming of his son Jesus
Christ, she would have to be born without a single stain of original sin. This woman
was conceived in the womb of her mother stainless. And this was the feast we
celebrated nine months ago; the feast of Immaculate Conception on 8th
of December.
To today,
being 8th of September, we are celebrating that woman’s birthday. Dear
friends, if God so honoured Mary by giving her such a key role to play in
bringing about the salvation of humanity, who are we not to honour her? After
all, she prophesied in the Magnificat that “all generations will call her
blessed.” Luke 1:48.
If we
celebrate birthdays of our parents, friends and even heroes or mentors, isn’t it
right that we celebrate the birthday of the woman Jesus spoke about on the
cross saying: “Behold your Mother”? John 19:26.
Indeed, in
the entire Catholic liturgical calendar, there are only three persons whose
birthdays are celebrated; Jesus Christ, John the Baptist and Mary. If these
three persons were not born, the world would have been a different place
altogether.
Today,
Mary was born to her humble parents Joachim and Ann. Like every other child,
her parents had no idea that this child they have just had would eventually be
the one to carry in her womb the Son of God, Jesus Christ our redeemer and
king.
One thing
that is clear from today’s readings is the fact that God does not act
arbitrarily. He plans, he makes adequate preparation and ensures he properly
prepares ground for his plans to come to pass.
Thousands
of years before Christ was born, God already planned what he was going to do.
As we hear in the conclusion of this morning’s Gospel passage, “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.”
Dear
friend, as we greet our Mother Mary happy birthday today, I want you to know
that your life is not a mistake. You are here today because God wants you to be
here and his plans for you must surely come to pass.
Above all,
as I celebrate Mary’s birthday today, what is my gift to mama?
Let Us
Pray: Holy Mary, happy birthday. Pray to God for me that my life may be
blessed.
Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of
the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary Bible Study: Micah 5:2-5 and Matthew 1:1-23).
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