September 8, 2014

Mary's birth

September 8, 2014:  Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary


Apparel
  • 'Sheep' tie bar:  "He shall shepherd his flock" (1st reading)
  • 'Clocks' tie:  Time passing during genealogy (gospel)
  • 'Dove' necklace:  “It's through the Holy Spirit that [Jesus was conceived in Mary].” (gospel)
  • Blue shirt ("Blessed Mother blue")
Music
Pope Francis
Homily:  When we read Genesis, we can think God was a magician, but he's the Creator!  God made things and allowed them to develop to fullness.  The Lord gave autonomy but not independence.  When he created us, he gave us freedom and made us responsible for creation.
In Jesus' genealogy, there are saints and sinners, but history continues because God willed our freedom.  God walks patiently with saint and sinner alike.  God wants us to be conformed to his Son.  From the hour he gave us freedom—not independence—he walks with us.  God was in Bethlehem with Joseph and Mary because he wants to walk with everyone.  "Do not fear the great things, but also have regard for the small, this is divine" (Thomas Aquinas).
Look at the story of Mary, the baby to become the Mother of God, and ask:  "Do I let God walk with me, or do I walk alone?  Do I let Him caress, help, and forgive me and carry me to encounter Christ?  Do I let God be patient with me?"...
Read
  • Mi 5:1-4a  From you, little Bethlehem, shall come the ruler in Israel; he shall shepherd his flock by God's strength, in God's name; his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.
  • Rom 8:28-30  All things work for good for those who love God.  Those he foreknew he predestined to be conformed to his Son's image, called, justified, and glorified.

  • Ps 13:6  "With delight I rejoice in the Lord."  I sing, “The Lord has been good to me.”

    Wordle: Readings 9-8-14
  • Mt 1:1-16, 18-23  The genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah and his brothers, Perez and Zerah (Tamar's sons), Hezron, Ram, Amminadab.  Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz (Rahab's son), Obed (Ruth's son), Jesse, David the king.  Solomon (son of Uriah's wife), Rehoboam, Abijah, Asaph.  Jehoshaphat, Joram, Uzziah.  Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah.  Manasseh, Amos, Josiah.  Jechoniah and his brothers.  After the Babylonian exile:  Shealtiel, Zerubbabel, Abiud.  Eliakim, Azor, Zadok.  Achim, Eliud, Eleazar.  Matthan, Jacob, Joseph (Mary's husband), Jesus.

Before Mary and Joseph lived together, she was found with child.  An angel told Joseph,“Don't be afraid to take Mary; she conceived through the Spirit and will bear a son to save people from their sins.”  This fulfilled the prophecy, The virgin shall bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, “God with us.”
Bonus
Reflections
    • Creighton:  In difficulties, may we trust and ponder as Mary did.
    • Passionist:  Church history teaches Mary was born of Anne and Joachim who thought they wouldn't be able to have children. / We don't like to wait, but let's follow the example of the Israelites who throughout the genealogy waited for the Messiah.
    • DailyScripture.net:  Mary and Joseph are models of faith for us:  she trusted in God's promises; he believed the angel's message. / The genealogy is arranged in three sections:  father Abraham to King David, then to the shame of the Babylonian exile, then to Jesus.  God fulfilled his promises to Abraham and David to send a Savior.  Do I recognize your spiritual genealogy and accept God as Father and Jesus as my Lord?

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