If we were teaching children about today’s Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Mother, we might include a birthday cake with white and blue frosting, sing Happy Birthday to her, and even have them make birthday cards to connect the Blessed Mother’s birth with a cause for celebration and how God chose her to become the mother of Jesus.
Once we made that connection, we could also explain that today we celebrate Mary’s holiness and vocation as the mother of our Savior.
Mary’s parents could have never imagined God's plan for their daughter. But as St. Paul said, “We know that all things work for the good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
The first part of that teaching, “… that all things work for the good for those who love God …” is something that we can all hold onto, especially when we are facing challenges of disappointment, grief, frustration, or uncertainty. It is this trust that the Blessed Mother possessed throughout her entire life. Through her Immaculate Conception, she did not suffer the effects of original sin, and, because of that, never lost the grace of God.
We see in our Blessed Mother someone we can imitate and pray to for her intercession to God for our needs.
In the reading from St. Paul, we are reminded that, like our Blessed Mother, in our own way each of us are made to glorify God. Just like there is only one Blessed Mother, there is only one you that God has created, not just to take up space here on earth, but created for a purpose.
Looking at St. Paul’s letter, you see the steps from God's foreknowing to glorifying. At the heart of this process is that we are predestined (God’s plan) “… to be conformed to the image of His Son.” Let that sink in; we are made to become like God in virtue and holiness of life.
This brings us back to celebrating the birth of the Blessed Mother. It was in God’s plan that Mary would be born to Joachim and Anne; and that Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit, would become the mother of Jesus. However, her role in God’s plan didn’t end there. After she gave birth, she attended to all of Jesus’ needs as an infant and child with St. Joseph by her side.
She, like us, would grow in love and knowledge of Jesus as Savior, and fully conform her life to His.
We celebrate the birth of a child with great joy because of all that it means to our family and their future. We see in today’s celebration God’s love and care for humanity in Our Blessed Mother’s birth, life, and role in salvation for all men and women, boys and girls.
As we give thanks to God and our Blessed Mother, we reflect on how God is with us right now but also when it is difficult to perceive Him. It is then that we can call upon our Blessed Mother to pray for us to have greater faith and trust in God’s closeness to us.
And, if you are a kid at heart, feel free to get that cake to celebrate the birth of Our Blessed Mother and the sweetness and care that her love brings to our lives.
Reverend David S. Marcham is the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Patrick Peyton, and Director of the Father Peyton Guild, whose members pray for Father Peyton’s beatification and spread his message of the importance of Family Prayer. Prior to becoming a seminarian, Father David was a physical therapist and clinical instructor, serving hospital inpatients and outpatients throughout the greater Boston area for eleven years. In 1998 he heard the call to priesthood and was ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston in 2005. Father David grew up in Quincy, MA, and has fond memories of playing soccer, tennis and running track. You’re never without a friend when Father David is around, as he welcomes everyone into his circle with a smile on his face!
