Homily: Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Mt. 1:1-16, 18-23)

I remember a priest who gave a homily on this feast to children. He brought a birthday cake and presents for the children to see. The school children were very excited. Birthdays are days that we usually all enjoy. At least we like being recognized when we are young.

What can this feast mean for us? The Nativity of Mary reminds us that Mary was a human being like us. She was a real person who lived in history. She had parents who we have named Joachim and Anne. These two pious souls, according to legend, prayed for a child throughout their life. Just when they thought they were too old they were informed by an angel that they were pregnant. They had a child in their old age.

I have known several couples who thought they had completed their families and they had what we might call a “tag along.” It seems like the last child of a family is often the child that is most helpful to elderly parents. Sometimes it is not the oldest child that has the major responsibility for taking care of parents in their old age, but often it is the youngest.

My uncle was the last of eight kids. He was about a decade younger than his youngest brother. My grandparents were certain that they would not have more children, so my uncle was a surprise. Family legend is that my grandfather was a little disturbed when he heard the news. He thought he was a little to old to raise an infant. But my uncle proved to be a blessing and was the one who took over the family farm. He lived in a house beside my grandparents and looked after them until they died.

The Blessed Virgin Mary was certainly a blessing to her parents. She probably took care of them as an only child would. The story of Mary’s miraculous birth reminds us that God picked Mary out. She was not simply a random woman that the Lord used to carry his son to term. Mary nurtured Jesus. She was the first teacher of Jesus in the ways of the Jewish faith. Jesus, as an only son, took care of Mary. We remember in the Gospel of John how Jesus, was seeing to the needs of his mother even as he was dying on the cross. Jesus took care of Mary as Mary took care of her parents.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Is there a story of a miraculous birth in my family’s history? Was that child a blessing?

2.    Does Jesus watching over his mother teach me anything about my life? If I my parents lived into old age was that a blessing for me?

 Dear Parishioners,

           It’s that time of year when we train new altar servers. I will be recruiting in the school tomorrow. Later in the month I will be asking religious education students to serve the Mass. This is a very important aspect of our Sunday worship. The presence of servers can add to the solemnity of the liturgy. I appreciate it when the children step forward to help. This can be something that cements the lifelong practice of attending Mass.

          If you know of a boy or girl who might be eligible to serve, we would love to have them participate. Encourage them to call us at our office and we will arrange for their training.

          May Our Lady whose birth we celebrate today watch over us and protect us.

          Fr. Mark